Yes, It's been a long time again...21 March 2023

There's a reason there's been no blog posting, besides me not having any creative mojo to get creating.  Sadly my father had been really ill. He went into hospital again in January for a week then came home. He was only home a week and had to go back.

One thing after another kept happening to my  poor daddy and in the end his body couldn't handle it any longer.  John Ellington Philip Hiscott left us on the night of 21st February 2023. His body had finally had enough. 

I made the long two day drive by myself up to be with him. My brother, niece & nephew rushed up as well.  We believe what the doctors said that the last sense to go is hearing because we were all in his room for hours. Including Miaa my niece's little 1yr old.  We think Dad was hanging on to see Miaa one last time.His only great grandchild.  Sadly he never woke up but we recon he heard us all because it was only hours after I finally left the hospital to get some much needed sleep when the doctors called us to say he'd passed on. 

Dad's funeral was held that Friday with just us immediate family there.  It's what he would have wanted. We managed to pull together some beautiful photos for a power point to one of his favourite songs.  As I was driving all the way up from country Victoria I kept hearing this beautiful song called How to I say Goodbye by Dean Lewis. I believe that was a message. I played it for my brother & sister who agreed we should have it during the funeral as well. 

We also had a bit of humour because what would it have been with out some.  Our father was always the happiest easy go lucky man.  He always made us laugh and smile so how fitting we should send him off to Always look on the Bright Side of Life by Eric Idol of Monty Python fame. 

We all went out for dinner that night to celebrate Dad's life and it was a long one of 89 years.  Though the last couple were spent mostly in hospital, his sense of humor never left him. We shall always miss you Daddy. I hate that I can't pick the phone up any more and hear your voice or pick you brains for cooking ideas. I have stored away in my mind and heart all the love and caring and advice you've given me and will always be grateful you were my Daddy, my JohnBoy! 

 

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Wednesday wonderings, 14 April 2021!

 G'day everyone

Yes, here I am, slowly getting back to a few days of 'average'.  I had my first counselling session on Monday night and I have to say I did come out with what felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  I have some strategies in place, it won't happen over night but practice and persistence will start to bring me back into my usual happy, if not slightly slower, fun self. I have another session in a few weeks time as well.

Never underestimate the power of admiting that you forget to breath properly. It was so obvious to my counsellor that I didn't breath properly.  I was reminded that my Samsung Fit watch has a breathing app on it. I'd forgotten.  

                                    

I was also advised that yes, there has been a lot of trauma over the years in my life and I have had every right to feel totally overwhelmed. When we talked through the many things I've gone through and not just lately but years and years of putting myself last and not admitting that grief isn't something that you can put time limits on, well, it was a revelation.

Knowing all the things I have done to get myself through events that could quite possibly have floored other people, has made me the fighter that I am. It was positive affirmation that I'd been running on empty for so long it's no wonder I fell in a crumpled heap in the last few months.  My ability to bounce back had taken a battering for so long, it was no wonder I was floundering.

I've so many things I want to still do but have to pace myself these days. I'm writing lists again and ticking things off. I'm not to cram my days with as much as I can. Even if I have a day where I just sorted out washing and got dinner on before hubby got home from work, those are worthwhile achievements.  I'm no longer the pocket rocket I use to be.  

Being 4ft 8" or probably shorter now I'm in my early 60's, has had many challenges over the years and my poor body just isn't able to do some things I use to do like climb ladders & build furniture!  Heck, I'm amazed that I have attempted so many things the averaged height person takes for granted.  Over time, pushing my short stature has worn parts of me out and I have had to admit it.  One of them being my little/big heart, which ever way you want to think of it.  Another being my eyes, yes, finally I have my new glasses. Nice they are, don't you thing?

It was also pointed out that "I wear my heart on my sleeve" and that it's not such a bad thing, I have empathy, lots of it. However, other people, not so kind nor caring other people, see it and take advantage.  This is something I also have to work on.  Yes, I've learned to say no. Now I need to learn that saying no doesn't mean I don't care, it means no, just no!!!

This was not easy to write/type out but I feel this has been quite uplifting to do.  I am starting to create/craft again so I will leave you with a photo I took of card created using a new Stampin' Up! stamp set, Pansy Patch, and a couple of the new In Colours coming in the new annual catalogue on 4th May 2021!  Fresh Freesia,   Polished Pink,  Evening Evergreen,   Soft Succulent, and  Pale Papaya

So til next time, remember

Happy stamping, colouring & creating!