encouragement

               May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.


Hello John

I found this line in a poem by John O'Donohue

It made me stop and think - reflection is good for the soul - I was able to feel a sense of gratitude because I am getting encouragement for so many sources.

My family, Andrew, Lucy, Philip ,Sandra ,Jackie, Marie, Matthew, Wendy, Rebekka Matthew Julie Aoife - my cousins on facebook in far flung parts of the world- friends Susan- Patsy Kev- Anita Philip-Brian ,Celia, Sue ,Margaret, Beth ,Maz- my Artist's way group- Maz, Manuella, Rachel, Sarah,, Steph, Donna, Marie.

John's Children- Penny, David, Lara ,Johnny, Ellie - our Lightbody family in Scotland- Robert especially- Jenny-  David- the others cousins I see on facebook who send me little messages- many friends in Co Clare who send emails and facebook messages.


I get encouragement from poems, books, radio ,films, a line here and there can be profound and stops  me in my tracks- like a message of encouragement from you dear John or the Universe..it is a mystery , as indeed life is...sometimes I see and hear nothing- I am too full of sorrow- then something shifts and everywhere I look I am encouraged.

I saw a beautiful animated film yesterday.The Tale of Princess Kaguya- Japanese- I could forgive the American voice over because I was so absorbed in the tale.

Even in that film I heard a message of encouragement  about our humanity - how loss and grief and hardship are all part of it- but so then is love and joy and hope- all the feelings that make us human..Princess Kaguya's reflection as she has to leave earth and to go back to where she came from.

I look at your pictures and smile - I know this is a wee rest bite from the sorrow but it is good- not the lethargy and numbness I sometimes feel when I stop feeling the pain.

Andrew and Lucy will be home tomorrow- looks like they have had a great time in France- although there has been a terrible air tragedy over there.

Philip is about to start his twelve days of Philip ( his farewell to work ) and his plans for leaving Uk are still a wee bit up in the air- one more document has to arrive and be taken to the Chinese embassy in Manchester- once that is done he can set off to Spain for a week with his dad-- then China here he comes.

Spring is in the air- little buds coming in the trees- daffodils abound in Sefton park -my dad's tree is surrounded by them - it lifts my spirits to see that- Felix and Fiona's cygnets are still here all eight of them -it is unusual for them to stay around so long.


My Lent group is going well-quite challenging topics-- it is Lent.

 I saw Patsy and Kev yesterday he is home from hospital now after his hip operation- I took him a chocolate cake and a jigsaw puzzle- which he started as I was leaving- he seemed genuinely happy with both gifts...I felt a bit shocked when I saw him- he looked thin and vulnerable- I was shaked by that because it reminded me of how vulnerable and thin you were towards the end..

I look at pictures of you now from further back and that is much more encouraging- I feel happy at the memory of all the happy holiday and times we had together...it helps --as do my dear family and friends.


I love you John and I always will- your loving wife- Helen.. TT xx