Sunday 8th January
A quiet day
On our own.
Time to reflect
Whilst alone.
The breeze is warm
Palm fronds blown.
Thinking of you
Times we’ve known.
Beyond the stars
Is where you’ve flown.
Love you my darling
My sparkling gem-stone.
xxxxxxx
Jan8
Category Archives: Holiday
Jan7
SoBe
Saturday 7th January
Today your brother decided we should go to Miami Beach and explore the Art Deco district in South Beach. Not sure what you would have made of it, but I think you would have liked the Duck Tour on an amphibious vehicle, seeing houses of the rich and famous.
When we arrived at the beach, it was 89℉ with beautiful blue skies. Halfway across Biscayne Bay on the floating transport, the sky goes dark and the rain starts to fall. Oh dear.
It was very interesting walking up and down Ocean Drive later, looking at all the fabulous Art Deco buildings and hotels, despite the drizzly rain. The pavement cafés and bars were buzzing with loud music and hostesses were trying to entice passing pedestrians in to sample their wares.
Your brother and girlfriend decided to stay overnight in Miami, as they wanted to see a bit of the nightlife, and to visit Little Havana tomorrow.
We headed back with the sky still overcast, but at least the rain had stopped.
Thinking of you as always.
Darling Angel son
xxxxxx
Jan6
Waiting for the sun to set
Friday 6th January
After a great breakfast with a lovely group of friends, we decided to drive down to Key West again, and do some more exploring.
So many memories are scattered all over place. Memories of happy times with my father. And of course so many memories of you. Eating strawberries in the Conch Republic, drinking cold drinks on Sunset Pier, laughing at the granny statue outside the Customs House, and watching many sunsets.
Today we made new memories with your brother and his girlfriend, but all the while, you were with us, walking the whole length of Duval Street to the Southernmost Point, then back to Mallory Square to watch the sunset.
Remembering all the happy times
Love you sweetie
Moon and back
xxxxxx
Your Grinch came with us again
Emulating the statue
Jan1
New Year
Sunday 1st January
New Year
A new year for us
Another year without you
Missing you so very much
Darling Angel son
Love you
xxxxxx
New Year’s Day breakfast at the Lorelei
Interesting watercraft
Your brother
Messing around
Such a beautiful morning
Dec31
New Year’s Eve
Saturday 31st December
At midday we began our drive to Key West to see the New Year celebrations. We weren’t sure what to expect, but we knew we wanted to see the sunset, and were hoping for a good display ~ the colours didn’t disappoint as we sat sipping cocktails on the aptly named Sunset Pier.
As evening fell the crowds began parading up and down Duval Street; everyone in such a happy, party mood. We went into Sloppy Joe’s for a beer and listened to an excellent band, followed later with nachos in the Gas Monkey, whilst listening to some excellent, very loud, rock music.
As midnight approached we made our way back to Sloppy Joe’s where the giant conch would begin it’s descent at 11:59pm. As thousands gathered, pop music blared out, mardi gras necklaces were thrown from rooftops and people waited expectantly. As the countdown began, the conch was slowly lowered and the crowd roared their appreciation as streamers flew through the air, and fireworks exploded in the night sky.
Wish you could be with us as we begin another year.
Remembering you with so much love.
My dearest, darling Angel.
xxxxxx
Trying on party hats
Your Grinch came along too, so you were there with us
Lunchtime at Sunset Pier
A most delicious Pusser’s Painkiller
The sun beginning to go down
Dad and I enjoying the last few rays of sunshine
The sun is almost gone
The last few rays
Many sunset cruises returning to dry land
Ahhhhhh……..your brother and his girlfriend
Festive trees
Change of clothes, ready for the evening
Silly billies
352 minutes to go……
We managed to catch some necklaces
Your brother bought me a New Year’s crown
The gathering crowds
Dec30
Travelling
Friday 30th December
Travelling around
To places we know
Thinking of you
How we love you so
Travelling around
To places all new
In spirit you’re with us
Taking in the view
Travelling around
Safe in my heart
We’ll travel forever
So we’re never apart.
Sweetheart Angel son
xxxxxx
Beautiful sunset at the Lorelei Cabana
A sunset of many golden hues
Your brother and his girlfriend
Dad and I
Beneath a fiery sky
Dec29
Friends
Thursday 29th December
This afternoon we met up with a great group of friends whom we haven’t seen for two and a half years. Such wonderful, charming hosts who always look after us and welcome us into their home.
Upon arrival we all scrambled onto the dock to see a slow moving manatee swim sedately by. A wonderfully docile creature, blowing bubbles as it checked us out, enjoying some shade beneath the boards of the dock.
Some time later an unidentified species of shark snaked its way along in front of everyone. Jaws it wasn’t, but rather intimidating nonetheless.
As the sun went down the sky and water basked in a warm, golden glow, with reflections rippling across the glassy liquid.
Our friends really liked you and spoke of you most fondly, recalling past vacations, outings and meals with them. You would have enjoyed being there this afternoon, seeing the sea life, probably swinging on the hammock or splashing in the hot tub.
But you weren’t with us this afternoon: however, you were there, in spirit. You should have been there. I want you to be with us. It’s so strange without you. But so many people have so many wonderful memories of you, and we will continue to share these memories for as long as we can.
Missing you my darling.
Love you forever
Moon and back
xxxxxx
Dec28
Sombrero Beach again
Wednesday 28th December
We started the day with another of your favourites ~ a trip to IHOP ~ you loved their pancakes, especially the apple, cinnamon, raisin and ice cream ones, liberally doused with lashings of maple syrup.
Following breakfast, your brother bought a fishing rod and we went to Sombrero Beach to test it out ~ unfortunately no fish were caught. However it was a lovely place to spend the afternoon, paddling, watching the boats and pelicans, and relaxing.
A large iguana met us as we were returning to the car, with a scaly back and large feet/claws, it certainly fascinated your brother and his girlfriend.
Thinking of you
Missing you so much
Blowing kisses to heaven
Loving you forever
Darling Angel son.
xxxxxx
Dec27
John Pennekamp
Tuesday 27th December
We started the day with a typical American diner breakfast at Waffle House, and ended it with burger and fries at Wendy’s.
Hmmmm. Your brother wanted his girlfriend to experience his favourite fast foods. You would have liked his choices, I’m sure.
In between, we spent a few hours at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, enjoying a kayak trip through the mangroves.
I think you would have liked exploring the waterways, especially when we saw a huge, ugly iguana sitting in the trees, looking at us.
I wish you could have been here today
Love you so much sweetheart
Missing you like crazy.
xxxxxx
Dec26
Boxing Day
Monday 26th December
Yesterday, Christmas Day, we drove to Miami to collect your brother and his girlfriend ~ they had flown over from Lisbon, and will be spending the next couple of weeks with us.
It was so good to see them both.
Your brother has not been in America, with us on holiday, for twelve years.
Boxing Day today, and we went to Bahia Honda beach where your brother and his girlfriend swam, played bat and ball, relaxed, laughed and had fun.
You were with us in spirit, as you always are my dearest, darling Angel.
Missing you so very much, as I always will, my dearest, darling Angel.
Love you forever, always have, always will, my dearest, darling Angel.
xxxxxx
The Journey of My Left Foot (whilst remembering my son) 