Breathing Deep and Not sure if that is Enough…

2025 started badly and, at the time, it didn’t seem that it could get worse. The passing of a an old workmate in November was sad but expected – we had several months to get used to that idea. I last posted on 25th November and I had a number of things in the pipeline for future posts. Went out for a meeting with another group of old workmates on the 28th. A great evening out out – beers in Williams Ale and Cider house just down the road from Liverpool Street Station followed by a curry in Mumbai Square. Ended the evening with a final beer in The Astronomer. Great night out sharing memories and general chat.

During that evening my phone rang but I didn’t hear or feel it – too much noise in ‘The Williams…’ It was my Cousin’s son trying to get hold of me. 😟 It was only the next morning that I became aware of what was going on when my Cousin Carol sent me a text urging me to phone.

Simply put, my older Cousin Tina was gravely ill in Hospital in Salisbury. That left me in an impossible position… you see, Epi had 2 hospital appointments due in the coming week which made a trip down to sit bedside difficult. What made it even more difficult was… I’ve done this before and I don’t think I’m ready to do it again. My Father, my Mother and Epi twice… Epi may still be here but I’ve seen her dead twice… Besides, if I went, I’d be stealing time from Tina’s children – only so many can be there in that room…

So, I watched from afar as the family sat through the final days and witnessed Tina’s passing on 2nd December. I have spoken to my other Cousin, Carol, to offer comfort and also to Tina’s youngest Son. I’m now waiting the date for the funeral and I intend to be there.

I should have know things were bad when I was hearing an old New Seekers track in my head – Definitely Tina music!

Hopefully I’ll be back posting from later this week but be aware I’m not quite on an even keel.