Eileen Maude Nicholson 1923-2010
Where do I even begin? I’m still reeling from the shock.
This is my Nanna. My beloved, dear, sweet Nanna who has been there for me all my life. More than a grandmother, she played a big part in helping to raise me when my parents divorced and was always the foundation stone of my life. Sometimes I feel like my mum and I are more like sisters and we both share the loss of this amazing mother. She was gentle, wise and compassionate and I will miss her more than words can possibly express.
She went to bed last Thursday and died peacefully in her sleep. It came as a shock to all the family – she was 86 and wasn’t in the best of health, but it wasn’t expected.
But I’m afraid there’s more.
This one will probably be harder for a lot of my loyal readers. I’m sorry to have to tell you that Basil is no longer with us.
He picked up a little after Christmas, but I’ve known for a while now that he had a probable tumour and we have monitored him carefully over the last few weeks. We decided last week that we needed to talk to the vet and today we all agreed that he was only going to suffer more and more as time went on and it was time to let him go.
What else can I say. There’s no point trying to describe how I’m feeling, I could go on for pages and pages, but I don’t really have the energy. Life goes on, we still have Adrian’s parents to care for and even though Derrick is home, he’s not really ready for it. He’s managed to have a pretty serious fall and hit his head and hurt his arm quite badly. To add insult to injury, his doctors surgery just burnt down at the weekend. You couldn’t make it up really, could you!
Nanna’s funeral is next week and I will be coming back and getting straight into preparations for the Harrogate show. I know there’s a lot of people thrilled to bits that we are going back to some shows this year, but I need to ask you all to do something for me – don’t mention this stuff. I know the natural reaction is to offer sympathy, to pass on condolences, to offer a quick touch on the hand or a sympathetic smile – it’s exactly what I would want to do and in any other environment, I would appreciate it. However, it is all going to be so raw, that the kindest thing you can do for me at the shows is to let me put my “professional head” on, focus on the crafting and not think about this. The majority of people who will see us at the shows probably don’t read the blog and wouldn’t understand if I dissolve into tears because someone gives me a hug.
There’s one more thing you can do for me if your situation permits: make a special fuss of your Mum this Sunday and tell her you love her.
[...] sprains in the case of my right knee) are with us as always; and, over the last couple of weeks, a wave of profound sadness has visited the [...]
Glenda, sending {{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Cazzy x
sending you big hugs Glenda, so sorry to hear your very sad news.
Glenda and Adrian, So sorry about your double loss. Thinking of you both and keeping you all in my prayers. Your Nanna will always be in your heart Glenda. Cherish yourselves a little, both of you, amidst all of the pressures you have. Take care, Love Elaine xx
Dear Glenda and Adrian so sorry to hear of your sad losses.
You are both in my thoughts and prayers. I know all your friends on here and everywhere will doing the same. Take Care Love ChrisB xx
Oh Glenda it’s so hard to have lost two precious family members in such a short space of time. you and Adrian are in my prayers. You have many, many people who care about you. Take care
love Sarah xx
I am so, so sorry to hear of your sad losses. I can understand how you feel about the show. I hope when you get home, you will have a chance to grieve, just the two of you.
best wishes
Lucy
Dear Glenda
I am so very sorry to read your sad news and your double loss. What can I say, my love to you and your family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
With love
Barbara x
Glenda there are no words that can even begin to express how you must be feeling.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks ahead as you try to come to terms with the blows that you have been dealt recently.
My heart goes out to you and Adrian.
Hugs from the heart.
Edna x
My thoughts are with you. No-one can take away your memories, and though it may not seem possible right now, one day in the future those memories will bring you comfort. Be kind to yourself.
Lest wishes,
Lyn.
Oh Glenda, life had dealt you some awful hands lately. My thoughts go out to you and all that you hold dear.
Cherish those wonderful memories you have, hopefully they will be a comfort to you when the going gets tough.
Kat.x
Oh Glenda, I’m so so sorry about both your losses. You’re in my prayers.
Thinking of you Glenda and sending love and hugs
Christine xx
Dear Glenda,
Just to say I am thinking of you all.
Love and Hugs
Gina Armstrong
A ship sails and I stand
watching till she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says,
“She is gone”. Gone Where?
Gone from my sight, that is all: she is just as large as when I saw her.
The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in her, and just at the moment when someone at my side says “She is gone”, There are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up the glad shout,
“There she comes!”
And that is dying.
Bishop Brent
Dear Glenda, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Nanna. My heart goes out to you and your family. Take comfort from the fact that she passed away peacefully, and was not in pain.
The loss of Basil must make an the pain so terribly hard – we all know we was so loved.
Hopefully in time you will be able to remember the good, happy, times, with your Nanna and Basil.
Take care and take time to grieve.
Much love to you and Adrian and your family.
Hugs
Valxx
My heart goes out to you and send you big hugs with love.
Rebecca
Hi Glenda,
Thinking of you at this sad time. Treasure the memories and time will do the rest.
God bless,
Kate x
Just sending hugs, and thinking of you all. Be strong.
Mags
I am thinking of you at this very sad time. You will be comforted by the fact that your dear Nanna always had the warmth of your special love as did the lovely Basil.
Hugs
Chris
Glenda,
Thinking of you and your family at this very difficult and sad time.
Ann W.
I’m so very sorry for your losses, my thoughts are with you & your family x
I can’t add anything new to everything others have said and join in those sentiments. I am thinking of you both and I don’t forget Derrick and Alma who also need your time. Don’t forget to make time for yourselves.
Big hugs,
Jane B
Glenda,
I am so sorry to hear of your double bad news. To lose someone as close to you as your Nan was is so hard to bear, but to then have to make the decision about Basil is more than anyone should have to make.
In time you will enjoy so many wonderful memories of both your much loved ones but in the meantime I send you hugs and prayers. You have so many loving and caring people around you to keep you going – just let them do it all and think of yourself for a little while.
Den
So sorry about your Nan but console yourself that she died in her sleep.
You haven’t mentioned Basil recently and thought that you had already lost him.
It is a sad time for you but things will get better. Give yourself time to grieve.
All the best
Val
Glenda, My thoughts and prayers are with you and Adrian at this very sad time.
Sue
I’m so sorry to hear of your double loss. There’s not a lot one can say but I am thinking of you and you are in my prayers. Stay strong.
Sue x
Glenda, what terrible losses for you. All I can say is to try and think of the special, happy memories that you have of both your Nanna and Basil. Try and remember those times – they may just make your heart feel lighter for a few moments. Sending thoughts and prayers to you and Adrian.
love Jenny xx
so so sorry – what a horrific double blow. thinking of you.
debs xx
Thinking of you. Hold on to your precious memories…….. Sue and Paul x
I’m thinking of you all at this sad time, love kay.
Glenda, what can I say, my heart reaches out to you. So sorry for your terrible loss. I agree with you, cherish your mum, make a fuss of her this Mother’s day, I lost my mum and our lovely Labrador within 8 weeks of each other -Spring of 2005. My heart hadn’t begun to mend after our lovely faithful dog died of a very aggressive form of cancer, then I lost my mum to leukaemia, so I know how much your heart will be aching just now.
love to you and Adrian
Alexandra
xx
So sorry Glenda.
Love to you and Adrian.
Jill
x
Glenda so so sorry for your sadness at this time,no words can soften your grief but from cyber space I send you a hug. For you I say thanks from the bottom of my heart for all you give to us,you have been my salvation on many a dark and dismal time, if posivite thought and love can get through then your aura should be shining very brightly ,we all love you Glenda xxx
Very sorry to hear your sad news. Your nanna was the same age as my mum and I’m always worrying about her.
Helen
Glenda,
I can just about imagine the pain that you are feeling. My grandma is in the hospital, and although it is not life threatening, it is always delicate situation with people of their age.
I totally agree that it is best not to mention anything, as i have seen how hard can it be to be offered sympthy while working. Take care and lots of love, Paula.
You are in my prayers and empathy is huge for you – walk tall in the knowledge that nothing is impossible with the love of God to hold you firm, Glenda.
I have no idea if that will help you but my short time of reading your blog has convinced me you are a lovely lady.
How wise to ask your readers to note your wishes when they meet you at shows.
Sending you both a huge hug and thinking of you at this sad time.
Lynn W
Thankyou for sharing this awful news with us, I was not going to visit Mum this weekend – 200 miles away, lots of family there already, but how you made me think. I shall make a huge effort, in memory of your lovely Gran, who looks, as you describe her, a kind and lovely person. I shall see you in Harrogate and – pun intended – Mum’s the word.
Sending loving prayers,
Julie Ellison, Scarborough,
Kissies
PS You are my favourite stamper – I love your range more than any other, keep going – we need you.
Just to say Im thinking of you all
Jackie
So sorry to hear of your double sadness – take care both of you
Hugs
Val W
So sorry to hear your sad news Glenda – just know that people do care. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Janet x
There are no words to express my feelings of deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time of loss. All I can say is that I am sorry and am thinking of you.
Alison
Thinking of you & yours at this sad time (((hugs))) x
So sorry to hear your sad news – hope that you will be able to focus on the good memories of your Nanna and Basil. Best wishes to Derrick and Alma, and especially for you and Adrian who have had to cope with so much recently
That is truly sad news, Glenda. Maybe your busy worklife will be a blessing to you and keeping your focus at work and at shows will see you through. It will be hard resisting the urge to give you a hug or kind word at the shows but at least that is one way we can help you. Hope you can find comfort in some crafting of your own and remembering these loved ones in your own special way.
Jo x
so sorry – take comfort in knowing your Nan died peacefully and you made the right decision for Basil. remember all the good times…
sending you a cyberhug.
Lins
I am so sorry Glenda.
I just want you to know I am thinking of you and Adrian.You were blessed with a wonderful nana and it is so hard to let go. Basil is not suffering anymore and he has you to thank for that. Our loved ones furry or otherwise never leave us just live on in our hearts. Pat
Oh Glenda,
Not really an awful lot I can say that will make things better, but can only tell you that I’m thinking of you and your family at this sad time. Sending big special hugs to you all.
Take care
Jackie x
Glenda–thought there must be something wrong as you hadn’t been on your web page for a while.’Something wrong’doesn’t even begin to describe what has been going on in your life.I am so sorry at your double loss.
My thoughts are with you Adrian and your mum.
xJoyce
Awww, sweetie, my prayers are with you and your family. I cannot say I know what you are going through, but I have experienced overwhelming grief when life’s transitions pile up all of a sudden and it feels like the plates of your world have shifted. Remember to give yourself space to breathe and grieve. Grieving is so exhausting and actually very hard work but it cannot be ignored, so be patient with yourself. Your Nana is beautiful and she has such loving eyes…and your Basil is gorgeous! Remember to breathe, it helps. ~ Rose
Dear Glenda and Adrian
I can only agree with all the words everyone has written.
It is so hard for those left behind when someone dies unexpectedly. At some time when the pain is less raw, try to think that it was so much easier for her, not in the best of health, to have gone to bed in her own bed, and simply fallen asleep. Had she woken up, it might have been to face a long illness and suffering. You did the best thing for your dear Basil by preventing that happening to him, you would not have been able to prevent it for your beloved Nanna, so nature did it for you.
Remember them both with a smile, they knew they were loved.
As for Derrick, I hope he soon picks up a bit more, he’s been poorly so long. It’s awful going through illness with your parents, just awful.
Positive thoughts are coming your way, believe in yourselves, you will come through this.
Chris x
So very sorry to hear all the ‘news’, it has brought a tear to my eye. Even though I’ve never met you or Adrian I feel I know you and will be thinking of you and wishing you strength at this difficult time. Ruth
Ah, Glenda – I’m so sorry to hear your sad news. But how nice for your Nanna, to go so peacefully & without pain & suffering. I lost my Nana when she was 86 & although it’s a “good” age, nowadays it doesn’t seem old, does it? It’s still a shock, whatever the age & circumstances, though.
As for dear Basil, having lost 2 of my 4 pusscats last year, I know how awfully sad you’ll be feeling; but he had the most lovely life with you, so try to remember all the funny, mad & downright adorable things he did over the years & he’ll always be with you.
I’m thinking of you & sending lots of love, take good care,
Liz M xxx
So sorry for your losses Glenda. All I can do is offer my deepest sympathies, and hope that you and Adrian draw strength from each other during this sad time.
Your in my thoughts.
Paula x x x
What a terribly sad time for you Glenda & Adrian.
But so far as Nanna is concerned such a peaceful way to go; we all know people who have suffered agonies before being allowed to leave, but hopefully Nanna was spared all that – it is you who has the pain, not her; try to remember her as she was – she gave you strength and purpose in life and lives on in you!
Basil – well you know how I felt about Basil too, bless him (cat mad!). But you have done the right thing for him and I’m convinced he’s at Rainbow Bridge with Sesame, my darling Mitty and all the other ones lost along the way – waiting for us.
I wish I could give you a hug.
God Bless, Sarah x
thank you everyone, all of your kind words are truly a comfort to us both
Glenda
Dear Glenda,
The following can apply both to your Nanna and sweet little Basil.
“When she’s gone………….
You can shed a tear that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
(David Harkins)”
This is one of the inserts I put in cards for those who have lost loved ones and many say it gives them some comfort. I hope it can for you. We’ve been three times down the road of losing a dearly beloved furry friend, and know that it hurts as much as it does when it is our blood family.
Sending you loving thoughts for strength at this time.
Karen
I’m so sorry to read this Glenda, I don’t really know what to say but I’m thinking about you and Adrian and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers
Hugs Jackie x
I am so sorry Glenda for both of your losses, such big gaps in your life. I hope that in time the memories will help ease the pain. I am thinking about you, and wish that I could say more to help. A big hug, Judith x
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Trish:)
So sorry to read this Glenda. We reach a time in our lives when we begin to lose loved ones from our families, furry ones included. These are times of great sadness and sorrow but they serve to make us stronger. Life is a wonderous thing that we are blessed with but to appreciate it fully we have to experience the sad times too. Your Nana looks like she was a very lovely lady and Basil was a cat in a million. Sending big hugs from someone who has experienced both losses too. Time does and will heal – it doesn’t bring them back but it helps you to learn to live on without them but now is the time for grieving. I hope you don’t mind me posting this, these thoughts helped me when I lost both my parents in quick succession. Sending big hugs xxsue
What a dreadful time for you. Having recently lost my youngest daughter I can really appreciate the hell you must be going through. All my love and sympathy go to you and your family at this sad time.
Liz
So sorry to hear of all your sadnesses. Time does heal, but that’s small consolation right now.
Thinking of you
Carol
Words never seem adequate at times like this, but this is just to let you know that you’re in my thoughts. Nanna’s are very special, I know mine was, and I also know how special your cats are too. Although your heart is breaking now, in time the very special memories you have will be a comfort.
Don’t ever forget them and, when you feel strong enough, remember them often with love, joy and gratitude that they enriched your life with their love and affection. Your life was better for having them in it.
Take care of yourself and Adrian, his parents are also in my thoughts.
Jan
Words cannot express how I sympathise with your loss and sadness Glenda. Just know that you and your family are in my thoughts.
Sending the warmest hugs
Lesley Xx
So sorry to hear all this sad news, Glenda. Hope it helps to know there are lots of us holding you & your family in our thoughts. xx
Glenda, news like this is terrible anytime but to lose your Nanna and Basil so close makes it doubly hard. Yes, at times like this it is good to keep working but make sure you take time for yourselves as a family. Sending you some special hugs. Kym xxx
Sending all my love thoughts and prayers to you and your family Glenda. Lots of hugs for you Love Cynthia x
I’m so so sorry for all your sadness. .. words are now failing me…but my thoughts are with you and the family.
Sue B xx
I’m so very sorry to hear what an awful time you and your family are having Glenda. Big hugs. Lynne x
Oh Glenda, what a lot for you to have to cope with all at once. I really feel for you, I was very close to my Nanna too, it felt so hard when it was time for her to move on, it was like a very special part of my life had gone.
I know you and Adrian have looked after Basil with amazing dedication, but it is so hard to let our beloved animals go, no matter how much we may feel it is the right decision.
Take care of yourselves – we will be thinking of you.
Love and hugs
Elaine x
Sending lots of hugs at this difficult time
Words are difficult at a time like this – but I wanted you to know I was thinking of you all
Take care
Suzanne x
Dear Glenda, I am so sorry to read all this and send you our sincere sympathy. Be gentle with yourself and remember you have many friends who are there for you at such a sad time. Hugs to you and Adrian, Love Rosie
Hi Glenda. Wrap your self in friends and family. Mine were rocks to me when I lost my parents. Keep your self busy as I’m sure you will. Journal at least once over the next few days.
Sending love and support.
Debbie M.
Glenda – What an awful time you are all having. Sadly that just seems to be the way things happen. All at once.
Then the sun will slowly start to shine again and you will remember good times and smile. Like you say keep busy but also take some time out for yourselves.