Sep
25
2023
0

Ten years on…

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Ten years ago Mum died and in so many ways it feels like yesterday, but it is literally a whole lifetime for my children.

I am so proud of the way that we have coped over the years. It has been far from easy but I think that we have shown that by being honest and consistent and by being as generous and kind with each other we have survived and then eventually we thrived.

I miss Mum so often. It’s the small things which catch me unawares that hurt the most; the smell of baking Guernsey biscuits, a song that she loved, and rather bizarrely the sound of my laugh. Coping with the big things is easier – we gear ourselves up for them and steel ourselves to face the usual anniversaries and celebrations.

We practice gratitude often and we would do this alone and together Often Louise and I would talk about the things which were good, which gave our lives meaning and hope. It wasn’t an easy thing to do because at times it mean lifting our eyes from our sadness and looking forward. Something which our faith definitely helps with, but it isn’t the only thing.

I wonder what she would have to say about us all. I know she would be proud of us and the way we have coped and I know she would have adored all her lovely grandchildren. My big regret is that she never really got to know them. Eliza talks as if she knows her…. but she was born after she died. I guess it is credit to the fact that we talk about her so often that she thinks she is still here.

I am really proud of my Dad too, He has coped admirably and manages the things that we never thought he would. He has changed so much and mine and my sister’s relationship with him is so different. When Mum was alive we used to go through her if we needed something from Dad… these days we have a lovely relationship and I certainly wouldn’t wish to go back to how it used to be.

I think the thing I have realised over the years is that resilience is something you have to work at. You become resilient by grounding and connecting yourself with the people who matter. You live through shared experiences and talk all the time about the things that matter. We talk about Mum often and I think that in the past she was the glue that held us together but now we are the glue that holds us together.

Happy heavenly birthday Mum.
We miss you so much..
We love you.

Proms on the Pier

Written by Anna Williams in: Uncategorized | Tags:
May
31
2023
0

Week 20 – 15-21 May 2023

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The week started with Mum’s birthday and as is tradition I went out for dinner with Dad and my sister. It is always lovely to have an excuse to go out together although it was short meal as I had to get to choir.

The Little Mister had the opportunity to participate in a Digital Leader day which he absolutely loved – anything to do with screens and technology and he is one happy boy!

We had a number of Cubs activities this week and I went to help with various gardening activity at Edward’s Cubs. There was much hilarity in general, amongst both the leaders and the kids. It was a fab evening.

On Friday evening The Mister and I darted between a family Golden Wedding party and to The Little Miss’ Ciubs where she was invested. She as so proud to get her neckie and due to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful friend Kayleigh she also received a fistful of badges as well as her investment badges.

Saturday was exceptionally busy as The Little Mister was involved in the Youth Games where he was playing in a hockey tournament in the afternoon and then there was the closing ceremony in the afternoon. It was fantastic to see so many kids participating in sport. In the middle of it all I popped out to sing at a lovely wedding.

What a fab week!

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Sep
25
2022
0

Sunday 25 September 2022

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Nine years ago Mum died whilst on holiday in Greece. I still find it strange to say that at times. It feels like she should still be here and I still find myself thinking ‘oh I must tell her that’!

I miss the most mundane of things; a quick catch up on the phone, a game of Scrabble, a Sunday lunch that I did’t have to cook, a quick cuddle when I went to visit, a shoulder to cry on and her easy laugh. I miss her so much.

The kids asked me about her today which made me cry but I reminded them that these days I don’t cry every day about her – just occasionally, mainly on special occasions and big days when I think of her. Mostly we carry on with life. Enjoying things, loving each other and being family together. She would have loved all that.

Love you Mum. Miss you so very, very much.

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May
15
2022
0

Sunday 15 May 2022

15.5Today The Mister decided that he would participate in GU36. It is an ultra race which starts with 16 miles on the cliffs and then a nice gentle run around the rest of the island until you get to town. Just 36 miles.

He completed it in 29th place out of 107 and it still walking. He was beaten just by my cousins wife Vicky – another great run for her. They both did a brilliant job.

Today would also have been Mum’s birthday so we went out for dinner with my dad and sister and niece (my nephew and BIL were in Jersey). We stopped off at her grave to take a quick pic.

Well done Mister. I am super proud of you.

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Mar
27
2022
0

Sunday 27 March 2022

27.1Mothering Sunday and this picture pretty much sums up the two sides of the coin which reflect the day for me.

On one side of the coin I am so blessed to be Mummy to these fabulous small people. They bring me great joy and pleasure and I am enormously proud of them for their kindness and compassion for people as well as their achievements and successes, Oh, they are also enormously stubborn and frustrating at times but I think we call this character building.

On the other side of the coin is the constant reminder that my Mum isn’t here and it is now 8 and a bit years since she died. So much time has passed but her absence is still obvious at special occasions. I am hugely grateful that I had such a wonderful Mum and she taught me so much about mothering, things that I never knew I needed to know. I wish she was here to ask about the bits I forgot to learn though.

Two sides of the same coin but both remind me that I am hugely blessed; for what I have and what I had. I am a lucky mother and daughter,

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Sep
26
2021
0

Saturday 25 September 2021

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Another year as passed and today marks eight years since Mum died. As always I have had a really unsettled week in th lead up to the anniversary. It is funny how often I remember things like the last day I spoke to her etc.

As usual I went out for dinner with my Dad and my sister. Dad has been on holiday for the last three weeks and he only arrived back at about 5ish. It was so lovely to see him and catch up with him and his holiday stories. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to get a pic of all three of us so just one of me and my sister sitting at the bar drinking pre-dinner cocktails and waiting for Dad to arrive. I am lucky to have her, and we are lucky to have Dad.

We toasted Mum and had a lovely meal together. We miss you Mum, so very much, but tonight we smiled and remembered the good times. x

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Aug
05
2021
0

Thursday 5 August 2021

5.1Today would have been Mum and Dad’s Golden Wedding Anniversary.

We had a lovely barbecue tonight at Dad’s house with as many of the family who could make it and some of Dad’s friends. It was lovely to see everyone and Mum would have thoroughly approved, especially of the dessert table.

Whilst we miss Mum terribly at times, and Dad does especially of course, we choose not to dwell on only the ‘what ifs’. We cannot change what has happened and what we will miss out on… instead we will celebrate what we had together and remember the happy and joyful times.

Mum would have been really proud of Dad. She would have been so happy that he is still living life fully and that he is happy. I know she would also have been proud of me and my sister – she was always so proud of us.

We continue to raise money through the Gill Langlois Legacy Fund to build schools in her memory – she would have been thrilled to know that children will be getting a better education because of her.

Happy anniversary Dad – we love you and think you are awesome.
Happy anniversary Mum – we love you and we miss you.

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May
15
2021
0

Saturday 15 May 2021

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Out for dinner tonight with these two legends. My Dad, sister and I always go out for dinner on Mum’s birthday which is today, and the day she died which is in September. It’s a lovely way to remember her and spend some time together just the three of us. I love you both. Thanks for a fab evening x

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Oct
08
2019
0

25 September 2019

A good legacy

Today is a special anniversary when my Dad, sister and I go out for dinner together. We try and go out together twice a year – Mum’s birthday and the day she died.

Today was the latter and as usual we got together, ate nice food and drank wine and remembered Mum. Six years ago since she died and we miss her every day. As usual though we talked about good and happy things such as the new school in Mum’s memory that we are going to build in Thailand.

Life moves on and we are grateful for all we have.

Written by Anna Williams in: Mum | Tags:
Mar
30
2019
0

30 March 2019

Happiness and sadness

We have had a beautiful day of football, music lessons, exercise classes and finally a few hours in the garden.

The Little Miss and I went to the shop to get some food and then we stopped on the way home to leave some flowers on Mum’s grave. I remember her every day, not just special occasions like Mothering Sunday but this weekend is especially tough.

The Little Miss has the school bear with her today and wanted her picture taken with Grandma. That made me cry but she was so matter of fact it also made me smile.

Written by Anna Williams in: Mum,This is Epic | Tags: ,

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