2025 - 2026

So 2025 almost done.

This year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. Celebrating my 50th birthday with my best friend and helper / supporter, Neil.

Flying off to France and staying in the city of Metz, birthday day trip to the city of Luxembourg and then a drive to Strasbourg, when driving through the French countryside villages saw nests on various poles with storks in them, an amazing sight to see. 

There was a glorious few days of warm weather, which really helped with my aches and pains.

While I enjoyed my birthday getaway, at the back of my mind was my Dad.

Back home and I had to help more with my father, driving him to shops or getting his shopping in and trying to keep the kitchen clean.

I had to help him get his driving licence back, I got him a blowy thing that he used and it helped him for a bit and he seemed to get his life back, getting out driving about without my help, he was on top of it until he gets a cold.

August I met a guy online, met up, decided to spend a weekend with him.

I got in touch with Dad's doctor to do a check up, the doctor said he didn't think Dad had long but should be ok for a few months.

I went off to Milton Keynes, met my man, and the Saturday morning woke up, Saturday afternoon looked at the phone and had missed messages. 

Messages from the doctor and the hospital, Dad was admitted.

I got back in my car and drove back home.

Next day I went to the hospital, he didn't look good, frail and kept talking about seeing a cat.

Start of September and it was Friday, a call from the hospital saying "you may want to get in", so I got in the car picked Neil up, got caught up in traffic. 

When I got to the hospital my brother in law, Carl, met me half way down the corridor and I knew it. Dad had passed away.

That was a stressful time, Carl has been wonderful supporting Gill and me on the day of Dad's passing, and Neil has been wonderful too.

Funeral in October, that was stressful, but got through it.

Cleared the house, it's on the market, on its way to being sold.

December 23rd: Picked Dad up today, first time he not moaned or complained about other drivers or things on the radio, of course when I say picked Dad up, I mean his ashes.

I've been talking to him and made him a cuppa. 

As I look forward, I have Dad's ashes to scatter, not been able to do it yet, but I will, probably in the new year.