Happier times

Hard to believe that was us two weeks ago in South Beach Miami . Mum, Maureen and I went down for my birthday and we had a great time .This was before we realized that poor old Doug was having such a hard time . Shortly after we returned from Florida he got transfered into ICU and went downhill very fast . It still seems very unreal .

Today has been a better day . Mum made a few phone calls, and we had a good chat with Nigel in the UK which was lovely . His wife Denise is in Ghana doing community work at the moment . She sounds great and the emails have been quite entertaining !

As we have cheered up a little bit, we are hoping that Doug's daughter Cindy, will be able to join us for a meal on the weekend . It may lift her spirits during this difficult time. Hilary , Andrew's wife , is coming over from Vancouver for the weekend to stay with mum and she will drive her to Buffalo for her appointment on Tuesday .

It's also Colin's spring break ....three LONG weeks ahead of us as the school holidays coincide with easter . I have no idea what we will do to fill in the time but we will think of something I'm sure .

A busy time ahead .....probably just as well to have a distraction as the Ackland family and Doug's funeral later this month are very much in our thoughts.

R.I.P Doug

For what is it to die,
But to stand in the sun and melt into the wind?
Kahlil Gibran, from "The Prophet"

The past couple of weeks have been very rough . Mum's friend Doug died on Friday night. It's very hard to put into words how we feel. Doug was a good friend to mum and to all of us .He will be sorely missed . His death was unexpected.Mum said goodbye quite happily and went to Florida the day before Doug went into hospital for surgery on his foot . The expectation was that he would manage reasonably well. Sadly, he passed away from complications of diabetes and never fully recovered from the operation. It is very, very sad and mum is feeling quite adrift at the moment. We feel for his daughters , grandaughters and all his family and friends . Doug was a kind, generous person and we will always remember him with great fondness. We just have to hold on to lovely memories of his kind spirit and warm heart .

The finality of death is so very bleak and painful. It's a sad time.