38th Wedding Anniversary 2022

I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, Roderick. It has been a tough year for me, physically and emotionally. I relied heavily on Roderick for help with so many basic everyday life things. He has patiently loved and cared for me these last 7 months, encouraging me each step, holding me when I felt like such a failure. Wiped away many tears, of sadness, pain and frustration. 

In our wedding vows we promised "for better or worse; in sickness & health"....'to love and to cherish'.....  This year, I had to humbly experience the 'worse & sickness', accepting Roderick's strength for both of us. Not easy for someone who has an independent streak! 

We learnt a new dance together as he led and guided me through the difficult steps, holding on to me so I would not fall (literally), but we found our rhythm and pace ourselves for whatever comes next.

Today and always I will love and cherish you. Roderick, you will always be God's best gift to me.

Uncle Hartley passing

This week my Uncle Hartley passed on to his heavenly home. 

This photo was taken on our last visit in 2019, when David travelled with me to visit our family in the States. We spent a couple of days in Cape May with Hartley and Barbara. It was our happy place, staying in the old historic Inn of Cape May, we enjoyed late afternoon cool drinks, rocking in the purple rocking chairs looking out over the beach. Day adventures on the water on the 'White Whale' , Hartley would take us out around the point, up along the shore line, often accompanied by 🐬 dolphins. Stopping to eat the lunch we had brought at Wawa's before heading to the Marina. We enjoyed evening meals at our favourite local restaurants, followed by a little night drive around Cape May. The best part of our time though, was just spending it together, sharing life, stories, our faith.. laughter was present in most conversations. Hartley was a great engaging story teller. He shared many stories of my Dad, Abby, his brother and friend. I could ask questions and even take notes!  Precious memories. 

In 2002, David spent 9 months living with Hartley and Barbara, it was something Hartley wanted to do, when I asked why, he said it was a gift to Abby (his brother) as he never got to know us. He wanted to give David an opportunity to know his American family & heritage. The experience changed David's life and the two of them became close. I just know this week, when Hartley passed through heaven's gates, Abby would have been waiting to embrace and thank him for the love and acceptance he extended to our family. Then the stories and laughter would begin.

The blessings of love, joy, health and peace are now yours, Hartley to enjoy forever more.

We love you and will hold you in our hearts until we meet again. x

Reflection: New Year's Eve 2021

I think for many of us, this has been a year we will be glad to turn the calendar over, and put so much of it behind us. For me, it's been a year where I have had to dig deep to find resilience, strength, motivation and even hope some days. By the years end, my passion for nursing wilted like flowers on a hot summer's day and inspiration wasn't far behind it. I faced many challenges as a Palliative Care nurse this year, as I know most, if not all of my nursing colleagues did too. Sadly our challenges are not over as we head into another year, we face new ones now every day. However, while I may have lacked my own inspiration, I was inspired by so many others this year. The courage of my patients and their families is what keeps our perspective in check, along with the mate ship and support of my frontline colleagues (you know who you are). I was encouraged by the many kind words and offers of help you gave me throughout year. 

I have always been inspired by the stories of the ANZAC nurses, who, despite being overwhelmed by sheer fatigue, fear and uncertainty, they banded together. We have had many days like that this year and will have long into 2022. I'm honoured to serve alongside and 'in the trenches' with you. Thank you.❤️

To my family, I am grateful every day for the blessing you are to me, for the joy and love you give me. Home has been my place of solace, and time with my family refreshes my soul, especially my grandchildren.

My faith will always be the foundation on which my weary soul lands. God's mercies are new every morning and great is His faithfulness to my life. In my heart, I know I will face some big changes in 2022, so I am reassured that all my tomorrow's are in His hands.

Tonight, as the countdown begins, I am reminded of the Serenity prayer 🙏.. 

"God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference".

I pray it for all of us. 🙏

Happy New Year. 🍾🥂

On Christmas Eve 🌲🎁

Reflective Day. Remembering past Christmas's and the now empty seats at the table, thankful for many blessings that God has given me over my life. A family. It really is the most precious of all gifts. Never to be taken for granted, in it we connect, we love, we share, we celebrate, we grieve, we reach out to embrace, hug, kiss, laugh & cry.  I have spent time today, looking through photos, fond memories come to mind,  a mixture of emotions rise, smiles and a few laughs at some funny moments (our family certainly has many of these.. especially with my brother, Rod Linklater), holidays, family occasions and everyday activities captured across decades. Babies are now parents,  adults and grandparents. A few tears falls as I look back on loved ones no longer with us. A sadness too, as I miss my family in the States 🇺🇸. I am not the only one... I have many dear friends who tonight are missing their family members separated for another Christmas day. You are all in my prayers tonight. 🙏

I spend this evening watching the Carols, I'm a traditionalist at heart, with fond memories there too!  The Hallelujah Chorus is sung, I can only imagine how this must sound in heaven... for tonight a little heaven comes to earth as we remember and give thanks to God for the gift of His Son, Jesus who came to light a path of Salvation for all those who choose to believe.

Merry Christmas 🎄

Reflection

Reflection

It's the early hours and I'm unable to sleep. So it's a perfect time to have a cuppa tea with my Bible and notebook in hand, to pray and reflect.

I have faced some health challenges in the last 12 months, and especially in the last 2 months. One required me to have day surgery yesterday. We are waiting on biopsy results, but my hope and prayer is that the surgery yesterday will be all that's required. For the first time ever, I have used up a year of sick leave (fortunately, I have accumulated many hours from previous years)

However, this time has given me time to recalibrate and remember what is important in my life. Some very loved family members have also had serious health challenges to face this year, which weighs on my heart too.

We don't know what our future holds, but I do know who holds mine. I have trusted in God all my life, He is the foundation stone on which I have built my life, family, career. I feel a seasonal change coming. One which I want to prayerfully prepare for, as I know it will mean significant changes to an important area of my life over the next 12-18 months. I believe God has always directed my steps (Psalm 37:23) and according to his plans, God has opened and closed doors, especially in my nursing career. I have been very blessed to do the work I have loved for almost 40 years.

What's next...... I'm not sure, I'm open to different possibilities, it will be all in God's timing and His plan and purpose. That's my heartfelt prayer.

  

Reflecting on 2020

What a year. Here are Some of my favourite and memorable photos. 

Life this year reminded us the importance of family and relationships. My mother’s words that you can’t buy health, was never more true and we all had to re-evaluate what was really important and what/who gave our life meaning. 

Personally, it was a hard year. The loss of my Uncle Hugh was very sad 😢 and I experienced first hand his funeral service online, my heart breaking as I saw his wife, Debby alone in the church with only her Pastor present. 

Professionally, I think it was the hardest year that I have worked in palliative care. Many days during the isolation and hospital lockdowns, my heart broke as I tried to comfort patients who felt very alone, and families who were worried they would never see their loved one again. Sadly many did not. If there had been a year, I really wanted to walk away and retire, it was 2020; but my concern and care for the patients and the wonderful colleagues I work with kept me returning each day.  I know there were thousands of health workers around the world 🌎 that had an impossible and unrelenting sadness daily and my heart and prayers go out to them.

Positively, Roderick and I are blessed to have our immediate family close at hand and time with our precious grandchildren and David, Bec and Michael made life’s moments still entertaining and fun as we learnt new ways of spending time together.

My faith in God’s love and care remains steadfast and I know his grace sustained and strengthen me during some very difficult days. I pray that 2021 will bring us all hope as we open new doors of opportunity to connect with those we love, near and far.

Happy New Year 🥳❤️🙏😘🤗

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36th Wedding Anniversary 2020

 This day 36 years ago, we said “I do” to marriage and a commitment to sharing life together. Everyday, I still choose you, Roderick. ❤️

I have been blessed in life by your love, care and support. I can’t imagine my life without you by my side and I pray we grow old together. 

You are a wonderful man, kind and helpful, always looking for ways to help make my life easier. You inspire me and any success I have, is on the back of your encouragement and support. You have loved me through some tough times, when I couldn’t see through the darkness to love myself. You have comforted me and wiped away countless tears. you stand strong beside me when I face difficult times, and you have faith in me when I doubt my own ability. You can make me laugh and lift my spirits through your wit and unique humour.

You have been a great Dad, and wonderful Pa to our kids and grandkids. They love you so much.

I love you Sweetheart and hope we share more anniversaries to come. 💕