The obituary notice of Sr CARMEL

I hope Paul has found you and you spend many a happy hour reminiscing. I ensured your photo was with him on his final journey, and our poem, "The Life That I Have," was read at his Celebration of Life. The song may have ended, but the melody never ends. Rest in Peace together.

Happy New Year, sweetheart. Thinking of you every day. Loving you so very much....every day xx 💓

Hello, Sweetheart

Had a somewhat trying day at work yesterday (HR stuff – why on earth have I remained in this role for over 40 years??).

Did what I always do: Loaded your picture (the main one) onto my screen (during my break, of course!) and spent a while looking at you; with you looking back at me. Did the trick – as it always does.

Thank you, my darling. I love you very much xxxx

Shalom, my Dearest Carmel.

When I was a boy, in the mining Valleys of South Wales (the Rhondda, in my case), it was said that any collier who – by act or omission – had upset his wife would, on returning home from his shift, toss his flat cap (known locally as a ‘Dai-cap’) into their living room. If it stayed, he knew that all was well, and that he was forgiven. If it was hurled back out…….trouble!

Well, although I remember you – and talk to you – every single day, I did forget that Wednesday the 14th May was your birthday.

So…my love, I am now tossing my Dai cap into the room; and will wait five minutes before continuing……..or else fleeing.

Ahhh…my cap has not been returned. Sorry, sweetheart. A Senior Moment on my part. A Very Happy – belated – Birthday to you.

I love you very much; as you know, very well xxx

Happy Anniversary, darling. Another year has passed, and I’m reminded of this poem by Leo Marks:

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.

I recall the trip we made to North Wales; August, 1980.

We picnicked on the grassy moorland between Bala and Blaenau Ffestiniog, enjoying the sunshine. We then travelled to, and around, Snowdonia. It was a most wonderful day.

If I could chose my Heaven, Carmel, it would be to collect you at 9.30 in the morning; to share once more that August day; and then to return you home at 8.00 in the evening. And then….to repeat that day over and over for all of eternity; on each occasion, having no memory of the day that came before, and no thought for the days to come. New every morning.

Shalom, my love xxx.

And the times when I would say something really outrageous; and you would look at me, with a quiet smile, and say: 'Oh really?......How very interesting.'

Xxx

Shalom, my love.

So here I am, at the start of my 80th year, thinking of the times I use to tease you for being soooooo much older than I; and singing that you were one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked about a bit!!

Came across an alternative beginning to that song:

'I'm very, very fond of ruins, anyone here can tell,

'You'd know I'm very fond of ruins if you saw my old gal!'

Couldn't resist this leg-pull, sweetheart.

I love you very much...as well you know xxx