Category Archives: Graveside

Miss you everyday

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Thursday 26th November

Today was spent exploring the old city of Lisbon, and climbing to the top of Castelo di Sao Jorge. Spectacular views of the rooftops, churches and river beyond could be seen. It was an exceptionally clear, blue sky day, and much warmer than normal.

We took the little Angel teddy bear with us, so you could be there too. I think you would have liked to explore the castle. There was even a tour guide dressed up in a suit of armour complete with metal helmet.

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Angel teddy on the battlements of the castle

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Looking out across the city

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Angel teddy at the Castelo de Sao Jorge

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Inside the castle walls

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On the battlements again

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Peacocks in the castle grounds

After the exploration of the castle we took a tram ride around the city, through steep, narrow cobbled streets. We saw many restaurant and cafe tables on the pavements, sheltered with large parasols, tuk tuks weaving in and out of the traffic, and of course many tourists enjoying the unseasonably warm, sunny weather.

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Lisbon tram

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Tram coming down the cobbled street

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Our morning libation, complete with ice cream

You would have loved the ice-cream ~ kiwi and rum raisin.

Late afternoon saw us leaving the city and heading east to your brother’s girlfriend’s house across the border in Spain. A wonderful sunset accompanied us, followed by the rising of the full moon.

I wish you could have been here with us too.
I miss your fun and cheekiness as we explore new places.
You would have loved the sights, sounds and smells of Lisbon.

Love you my Angel.
Sleep tight darling.
xxxxx

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Your flowers today

Every day

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Wednesday 25th November

“Do I miss you?
Every day.”

After much deliberation of shall we, shan’t we, ummming and arrrrring, we decided to get away for a few days.
And so here we are, in Lisbon.

We left Exeter yesterday afternoon, and stayed overnight in an airport hotel in London.

We have come to visit with your brother and his girlfriend. He has wanted to see us for a long time now, and had pestered us into flying out for a few days.
His girlfriend lives in Spain, two hours East of Lisbon.
You would have liked to travel with us, never having been to Spain or Portugal before, and it is only a quick two hour flight from London.
But we have brought you here, with us, in our hearts forever.
And the Angel teddy bear came out with us tonight for tapas and a beer.

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Angel teddy in Lisbon

I somehow feel guilty coming away without you, leaving you behind.
But you are with us, aren’t you?
And my sister will be visiting your resting place, tending the flowers for us, for you.

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Your flowers today

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Love you so very much my darling.
xxxx

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Hope

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Tuesday 24th November

Hope….  
Sometimes that’s all you have
when you have nothing else.
If you have it, you have everything.”

Today I travel to the hospital where I had the lymphadenectomy, two years ago this month. The lymph nodes at the top of my left leg were removed, as the cancer had spread from the original mole, The Alien Blob, on the top of my left foot. This is my month 24 check up on the Combi-Ad trial, for the adjuvant treatment of stage three malignant melanoma.

My first appointment is with the dermatologist, and she spots a Basal Cell Carcinoma on my lower left back that needs to be removed, so we’ll organise a date for that later. She wanted to do it there and then, but I have other appointments to attend today.
Time to get dressed.

Next I go and see my lovely trials nurse to be weighed, blood pressure, pulse and temperature taken. I also fill in a Quality of Life survey. Hmmmmmm.

From there we head down to x-ray for a CT scan of my thorax, abdomen and pelvis. After a fairly long wait, I’m called through, cannula and contrast inserted, and the imaging starts.
Time to get dressed.

Having finished that delightful experience, I can now have something to eat ~ no food is allowed four hours prior to the scan.

My final stop is with the oncologist, all seems well, and I don’t need to be seen for six months.
Time to get dressed.

So there ends my month 24 visit. Careful monitoring, checking and scans, keeping vigilant, a good deal of crossing fingers, and hope, and then I can breathe easy.

So that was my day, my darling.
We came to see you early this morning, before we set off.
For some reason Dad and I both broke down, and sobbed.
So many thoughts going around our heads.
We miss you so very much.
If only…..
Why…..

It is late afternoon as we set off from the hospital and drive away; we have the light of the full moon to guide us.

Is that you up there, smiling down, wishing us well on our way?

We love you to the moon and back.
And all the world.
Around the stars
And all the planets.

Sweetheart Angel son.
xxxxx

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Never want to lose

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Monday 23rd November

Memories
A way of holding onto
the things you Love
the things you Are   
the things you never want to
Lose”     

And we have so, so many memories of you.
We will remember everything you love,
We will hold onto all the things that you are,
And we’ll keep on remembering,
Because we don’t want to lose those precious memories.

So, we’ll take you everywhere we go,
Safely wrapped within our hearts.
No matter what, you walk beside us.
And you’ll be there at night, in our dreams.

We miss you my darling.
Love you more than words can say.
Beloved Angel son.
xxxxx

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New flowers today

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A Christmas robin decoration for you

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Golden yellow

Missing you, still

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Sunday 22nd November

My baby, my child.
I thought of you
And then I smiled.

Lovely boy, sweetie pie
You’re an Angel
Up in the sky.

Pleasant chap, good lad
Now you’ve gone
I’m feeling sad.

Sweetheart, kind soul.
The emptiness
I can’t control.

Young man, gentle fellow.
No longer hear
Your morning ‘hello’.

Cute kid, nice guy
Was far too soon
To say goodbye

My son, little one.
Loved and missed
By everyone.

Love you forever
xxxxx

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Big clouds and surf

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Big clouds and boats

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Big clouds and blue sky

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The old lifeboat

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The new lifeboat

Someone who was once there

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Saturday 21st November

“It hurts
every day,

the absence
of someone
who was
once there.”

On this date last year you had surgery to remove your left testicle following a biopsy where cancerous cells had been found. It was a long and wretched day for you, but we returned home hopeful that all the disease had been removed. We were told as much.

Little did we know what was to come.
The fight that you would put up.

And now,
All we have left are the memories of you.
Fabulous, marvellous, amazing memories.
But that’s all they are.
Memories.

No new memories will be made.
All the plans we were discussing.
When I think what might have been.
Your absence hurts so very much.

So now I hold you in my heart.
And treasure all those memories.

Thinking about you always.
Missing you constantly.
Love you forever.
My dear sweet Angel.
xxxxx

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The smallest things

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Friday 20th November

“Sometimes the smallest things
Take up the most room in your heart.”
                       ~ winnie the pooh ~

Your uncle gave you a wonderful copy of Winnie the Pooh, soon after you were born, and you used to love hearing the stories. I read to you and your brother every bedtime for years, taking it in turns whose bed to sit upon, and which book to read.

Winnie the Pooh books provide so many inspiring and endearing quotes, words of wisdom and joy, but the one above, caught my eye today.

There are so, so many little things about you, that I miss so very much.

I have again been reading through cards that were sent to us when you passed away.

“We are so sad and shocked.
He was a much-loved son and brother who will be missed by so many people. We have known him since he was a baby, and have very fond memories of him.
You have been loving and caring parents, and have given him some wonderful travelling experiences in his short life.
Hopefully in time you will be able to look back at those times and find some peace of mind, and think of all the small things, and big things, you have done as a family.”

Small things and big things.

Yes, we have had many big adventures together, travelling the world.

But the little things about you…..

Like when we had finished our cup of tea, you would march into the room, pick it up, and deposit said cup loudly in the kitchen sink.

Or after Dad had had a bath, and left his towel over the bottom of the stairs, you would return it to the bathroom for him.

Or when you would insist that lunch is at twelve thirty and tea-time at six. And goodness me, if we weren’t in bed before ten thirty, then you’d want to know why.

If we went out shopping, you’d go off on your own, meeting up for lunch at a specified place, at a pre-determined time ~ even though you couldn’t tell the time, you could gauge the passing of time. And you were always spot on. We never knew how you did that.

Your shoes would always be placed neatly at the back door as soon as you came in. You didn’t have to be asked.

When you got up in the mornings, you would make yourself breakfast, and before you came back upstairs I had to have laid your clothing out for the day, and put toothpaste on your toothbrush.

Having Asperger Syndrome meant you liked to stick to a comfortable, safe routine.
And we too had that routine in our lives.
Your behaviour could be challenging and demanding, but you responded to fairness and reason (most of the time).

For thirty years we knew where we were, where we were going, and the consequences if the routine was side-stepped, for whatever reason.

And now…..?
We miss that routine that you imposed on our lives.
We miss your intense physical and emotional impact and presence.

All the little things.

The smallest things that were so important to you.

And yes, they do take up the most room in your heart.

We
Miss
You.

Love you Angel xxxx

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Not fair…….

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Thursday 19th November

It’s just not fair,
There’s an empty chair,
Another reminder,
So hard to bare,
That you’re not there.

It’s just not right,
In the darkest night,
Another reminder,
Cry as I might,
Your soul’s taken flight.

It’s just not real,
My heart won’t heal,
Another reminder,
A terrible ordeal,
The emptiness I feel.

I’m missing you so much, sweetheart.
Love you.
Love you.
Love you.

xxxxx

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Raindrops or Teardrops. xxxxx

Nothing is the same

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Wednesday 18th November

“Our lives go on without you
But nothing is the same.”

………………

We are here, and you are there.
Nothing will ever be the same.
There is no longer an answer,
When I call out your name.

You are there, and we are here.
Nothing is as it was before.
There’s complete silence,
When I gently close the door.

We are here, and you are there.
Nothing is how we want it to be.
We’d rather you were with us,
But must accept you’re flying free.

You are there, and we are here.
Nothing is right anymore.
You’re not coming back
We know that’s for sure.

Our lives do go on without you,
We have absolutely no choice.
We are here, and you are there,
In your memories, we’ll rejoice.

Lovely boy.
Sweetie Pie.
Angel son.
Flying high.

xxxxx

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Still hear the laughter

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Tuesday 17th November

“If you love
somebody enough,
You can still hear
the laughter after
they’re gone.”

……………….

Even though you’re gone
Your laughter I can hear.
A wonderfully, happy sound
That lets me know you’re near.

That wicked little chortle,
A giggle so unstoppable.
A sparkle in your eyes,
A smile quite irrepressible.

Happy days and holidays,
Filled with joy and fun.
So many sweet memories,
Of you, my Angel son.

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Pandora Inn. August 2006. Funny faces. Laughter and smiles.

Love you forever sweetheart.
Missing you so very much.
xxxxx

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