The only problem with going away for a week is that I didn’t get a chance to do my big clean which I always leave until my holidays. So after a busy time last weekend, I decided that this one would have to be dedicated to tidying, dusting, hoovering, washing etc. The bedrooms were the worst as they tend to get left to their own devices during the week. Our bedroom and the larger spare bedroom (which we use as our dressing room) were in great need, so I set to on our return from town this morning. I’m now feeling dusty and hot and I haven’t anywhere near finished but I decided that enough is enough and the rest can wait until tomorrow. I now have a massive pile of washing to do and the weather is vile so I’ll have to be very unecological and use the tumble dryer, as I refuse to have washing hanging around the house!
Our friend’s funeral last Monday was quite simply, beautiful. As soon as the choral music his son, Simon, had composed was played, copious amounts of tears were running all through the church. And then to move us all even more, Pie Jesu was resonating through the aisles! Wal’s talented sons put on a most wonderul and fitting tribute to their beloved father. Nick’s eulogy was funny, affectionate and hugely moving. Then to end the ceremony Wal himself played us out with recordings of his saxophone playing.
Tomorrow is Remembrance Sunday in the UK. As each year goes by, there are more and more young soldiers to remember, and this annual tradition must now mean more and more to much younger generations. This year alone, from a regiment in our area, nine soldiers have been killed in action and seventy one wounded, all in Afghanistan. Not many days seem to go by before we hear of another young life lost. Each case is deeply sad but one that may have struck even deeper was that of Fuselier Gordon Gentle, aged 19, killed in Basra in 2004. Since then his mother has been tirelessly campaigning to uncover the truth behind her son’s death and to make it public knowledge. On Thursday she finally got her wish when it was officially agreed that her son was ‘unlawfully killed’. He died because the armoured Land Rover he was travelling in hadn’t been fitted with a device which would have prevented the detonation of the bomb which killed him. Read more here. It’s bad enough that our government continues to send out more and more troops to somewhere they have no business to be, now we hear that they’re not even protecting them adequately.
Tomorrow I will pay my respects at 11.00 a.m. and remember all those young lives lost. How petty my gripes about housework seem now.
7 Comments
a few weeks ago I noticed round the school lots of RIP messages. I thought it must have been messages from gangs or something stupid like that. Anyway. I was walking home with humbug, and noticed lots of police signs along the road, and as I passed the church where humbug was christened, a mini bus of young lads pulled up. Turns out a very young lad had been killed at war, and it was all his mates turning up for his funeral. It was a big funeral apprently, I missed it in the paper. That was who the RIP writings had been left for. So utterly depressing. He went to my old high school (that’s where the messages had been written).
the funeral sounds very moving.
I have made you a little something to cheer you up. It’ll be in the post, come Monday morn!
argh. My internet connection has just gone again, I hope I can still post this comment! I keep having this kind of trouble with my connection, drives me mad.
nothing on telly tonight, I’m going to watch Baby Boom again. Can’t wait for Monday, when IACGMOOH is on again! yey!
have a lovely evening xxxx
House work always seems to catch up with us, and one of my bug bears its always there to be done!
The funeral sounds very moving and what a lovely tribute to him.
I watched the Festival of Remembrance last night, so sad that todays kids are losing parents through war.. today will pay my respects at 11 am, tragic all the stories of young people losing lives.
You must have a birthday around about sometime lol.. would you like a pair of fingerless mitts? if so mail me colour choice and where to post too.. if not then ignore me lol
Hugs Pixie
I am such a dim wit, I meant to ask what colour you have picked for the cardi and the knitted brooch sounds lovely.. tough call which to do first.
Have a good week
Hugs Pixie
your pressie is in the post! Hope it doesn’t get squished or anything. I liked it so much, I made one for myself, and have been using it today. Crikey, that’s cryptic!
xxx
Hi Nikki, I hope your cleaning is all done. Remembrance Day is Veteran’s Day here & it’s sad here with the war! We have poppies too. I hope your week is going well, it’s almost the weekend! Hugs
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I need to let you know I am changing to a new address (and blogging platform) as of today:
http://longbournlane.com/
Jane Austen fans will recognize her influence.
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Must go – Roy and SIL Roberta just returned from another visit to Lowe’s (hardward) and want me to come see. Love, Julia
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