Two of my favourite guys - the oldest and the youngest. This has been a wonderful week for Bob and me - time spent with Liz, Jon, Rosie and Jess- and then with Steph, Gaz, George and baby Jacob - and a celebration of 43 years of marriage. I feel so blessed and grateful.
But I am so conscious that sadly there are many families who are not feeling joy this week. The news of the cruel death of Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool has been utterly heart-breaking. Harry Dunn died 3 years ago, in August 2019, but his family still grieve and seek closure. Rebecca Adlington, champion swimmer, has spoken of her grief at suffering a miscarriage a few days ago. Someone I know here in Norfolk is supporting a husband and his two teenage children after the death of her friend- a young wife and mother. Other friends I know are struggling with disagreements and estrangements within their families, and some are coping with the pain of divorce.
All these families need love, and support, and encouragement to help them stay strong. Where family bonds are already fragile, an added stress can often be the tipping point. It has become very common for tragic news stories on TV to end with someone saying "So I urge you, go home and hug your children, tell them you love them" Yes this is true - but please- don't leave it till there has been a tragedy. We should work continuously at keeping relationships strong, and telling our loved ones that they are just that- the people we love and care about. Telling them often.
Life is short - don't waste time in petty arguments with the people who are nearest to you.
If they learn that lesson as children, it will help them as they grow up!
Congratulations to you on the wonderful happenings in your world.
ReplyDeleteSiobhan
Thank you Siobhan ❤️
DeleteLovely photo of Bob and Jacob.
ReplyDeleteThankyou Bless
DeleteMy paternal grandfather was a truly horrible man, and my paternal grandmother divorced him, taking her infant son with her, which was very unusual in the early 1930's. She then died when my dad was just 15 years old, so he'd never really had a family.
ReplyDeleteWhen he met and married my mum, they wanted a big family, but my mum suffered three miscarriages after I was born, so I'm an only child.
I grew up being told every day that I was loved, we did the same with our son, (we still do, and he's 35 now) and are now doing the same with our grandson. Our son is also a superb cuddler, and our grandson loves hugging too!
An aunt of mine has always said that you can feel the love in our house as you walk in the door, which is just how I like it to be.
If all children were as loved as they are in our families, this world would be a far better place! X
That is true. I am so glad your family is full of love too
DeleteThank you Angela.
ReplyDeleteSending much love to you and M xx
DeleteGood word, Angela! Congratulations on your new grandson and happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri
DeleteOh that photo of your oldest and youngest guys is just so special.
ReplyDeleteYes the world can be such a sad place in so many ways can't it, it always has been but with modern technology we just hear much more about it from all over the world just as it happens. I have to keep reminding my Mum of this as she thinks the world is just getting worse and worse, when in reality things ARE improving.
Focusing on the good things is important - we all need faith,hope and love (&the greatest is love)
DeleteI hope your teaching session went well. Great messages. Nicky Keep
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicky - there were 3 extra children (I'd taken spare craft stuff) and it went well
DeleteYou work hard on sharing your happiness. I am one of the lucky recipients of your caring despite being thousands of miles away.
ReplyDeleteYou deserve the best.
That is very kind of you Jan, you are a good friend
DeleteWhat a special photo of the youngest and oldest men in your family. Congratulations on your anniversary and it’s lovely that you have seen all our family last week. Your compassion for all shines through what you do and I hope one day we can have a coffee together. Catriona
ReplyDeleteOh I'd love to meet up for a coffee one day!
DeleteLovely photo! It is good to count our blessings and also, as a grace I know reminds us, "be mindful of the needs of others". At the moment my late friend's grandson has been missing since Aug 9 and his family are distraught. We can only pray for him and for them and trust in God's mercy and power.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of this missing lad- prayers that all will be resolved soon
DeleteWhat a swet photo of Bob and Jacob, one to frame and hand on the wall at home!
ReplyDeleteMy sweet MIIL credited me with brings hugs into the family. I grew up with lots of hugs and so did our sons. Loving words and hugs are the best!
Hugs!
Hugs are important - I found lack of hugs during the covid restrictions really hard!
DeleteLovely photos!
ReplyDeleteI agree about telling each other you love each other. You just don't know what will happen. And trying to be kind.
I went to a church for the first time yesterdays morning. I've been to the companion church 3 miles away that has a later service (but also involves a very steep hill cycle at the end...or a long walk). It was lovely and the vicar remembered me from the other church visits. His sermon was on compassion and kindness. It was aimed at being kind to all. I got home and found C still in bed, having not gone cycling, he grumped at me ringing the door bell. I wondered why he hadn't gone cycling. Thinking on the sermon and knowing how defensive he gets at any perceived criticism, instead, I asked if he was ok and would he like me to make him a hot drink. He said yes please and then told me he had slept badly again. He often won't tell me if he feels ill but by doing things like making him drinks and cutting fruit for him being patient meant he did tell me he's been feeling unwell for a week and is v anxious about it but didn't want to worry me. Sometimes, reflecting really helps us. And that's why sermons are so important. They make us reflect. We can read these things but hearing it and really listening to something from a different source really does make a difference. X
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, K, and for the words of encouragement for those of us who regularly preach sermons!
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