My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

A personal post

I've had a big question on my mind lately - how much of my personal life do I share - and how can I carry on my bloggy tales without mentioning a very important event in my life?
Blogging has become an important part of my life; I've shared all-sorts about my world, much more than just my handwork, and I have made some very special friends through it. To exclude aspects seems to me to be not quite right. I like my blogging to be clear and logical. To leave a big gap doesn't seem right.
My dear dear father died last week.
Just over 2 years ago he was diagnosed with an incurable type of aggressive brain tumour. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy kept the tumour at bay until recently when it started growing again. The tumours grew very quickly and in December his health went downhill very quickly.
One of my favourite photos of Dad and I, taken not long after his
initial diagnosis. Dad always had plenty to say about everything.
The last few weeks of Dad's life were a very special time. Dad had to go into a resthome for the special care he needed. My brother, sister (who both live overseas) and I were together with Mum. We lived at the resthome with dad, we laughed together, we cried together, we loved together. Dad was able to tell us how much he loved us and we were able to tell him how much we loved him.
Dad's funeral was a coming together of many family members and friends, lots of people whose his life had touched in so many different ways.
Rare opportunity for family photos.
I feel very privileged to have had such a wonderful father; if I can be half the person he was, I would be happy.
A mighty Totara has fallen.
Rest in Peace, Dad.

44 comments:

  1. Raewyn my heart goes out to you. I am so sorry to hear of your Dads passing. That is a lovely photo of him you shared. His expression made me smile and remember my dad who was quite a character too. You know he'll be with you always in your heart. Sending you a hug.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hold on to those special memories
    They will get you through

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Raewyn, my heart also goes out to you, I think you will always treasure those last weeks. I have tears in my eyes for you, thinking of my Dad's difficulties now. Our blogs are a reflection in many ways of who we are. I sincerely wish you all happy memories and not too many sad days. Your photos are beautiful. Ann x

    ReplyDelete
  4. My Dear Raewyn, thinking of you at this sad time. Treasure those special memories..
    Hugs
    Maria XXXXX

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are in my heart and prayers Raewyn. How very sad for you and your family. Take comfort in your special time together. I love your beautiful photo of you and your Dad. I hope sharing this difficult time with your on line friends helps you know that you are in our thoughts.
    Hugs xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are so blessed to have loved and been loved by such a special man...no wise words Raewyn to help you with your grief and the changes to come, but big hugs and prayers from across the ditch! xoxoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brought tears to my eyes. I too, had an amazing Dad. He passed away 21 years ago at the young age of 61. Your memories will be your treasure!! What a very special photo of you and your dad! And such a lovely family!

    Blessings and prayers dear friend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Raewyn. My heart goes out to you. I lost my father a little over a year ago, quite unexpectedly. I'm glad you had time to say goodbye, although I know that doesn't make it any easier. It's okay to blog about real life. Not everything is happy and quilty, and we're here to support you. Hugs....

    ReplyDelete
  9. Brought tears to my eyes too. So sorry to hear Raewyn.Good that you had time to say goodby. Glad you told us and shared the pictures of you two,and all. Hugs and all the best for the difficult time ahead for you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. You were so fortunate to have that time together. And the "right" amount of personal info is what feels right to you. And as others said, we are part of your extended group of friends...even when we live to far away to show up to give you a hug or as is the tradition where I live, a casserole.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You have written such a beautiful post about such a special person and my heart goes out to you. Remember the good times and thank God you had such a wonderful father. With deep sympathy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a beautiful tribute to your dad. Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life, I know how difficult that can be.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for sharing the very personal news with your followers. Your Dad sounds like such a wonderful person and friend. I love the photo of him and you. Your family had some time together even though it was caused by the illness. I think that is the silver lining in the clouds that we all hear about.
    Chin up Raewyn!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am so sorry for your loss Raewyn; when I lost my Dad it was so difficult for so long. It sounds as if you were especially close to him. Being an only child, my Dad and I were friends as well as father and daughter. I am sure you will always miss him and find that you will recall the good times...take time for yourself right now--- and my heartfelt wishes go out to you...Thank you for sharing--I think talking always helps....Julierose

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am glad you gave us this glimpse into your real life. Though we may "only" be online friends, we want to be able to support you through the difficult times with our thoughts, prayers and encouraging words.
    It sounds like you have wonderful memories of time with your Dad, and that you created more with your family as you prepared to say good-bye to him. What a blessing to have been privileged to have a good father. How hard to let him go. Blessings on you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a beautiful post about your Dear Dad. I remember back when you wrote about him and the trees he loved. I know how much you will miss him, and I am sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  17. (hugs))) your dad sounds like a wonderful man and a man that loved his family. A huge gap missing for you all.
    Love Leanne

    ReplyDelete
  18. Raewyn, you have my deepest sympathy. I remember when your dad got sick and I'm so sorry that he lost his battle with the illness. I'm sure you will find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have of your time spent with him. God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Raewyn, I'm so glad you shared with us. I care so deeply about you and what you are going through - even though we are just bloggy friends. Thanks for letting me to get to know a little about your Dad. You are so lucky to have had him in your life. One can see from the pictures he was a warm and wonderful Dad. My prayers are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  20. It is sometimes difficult not to let the two things cross and when something this big happens then it is best to share it and take comfort in the wise words written by people who know and care what you are going through. My love goes out to you, wish I could give you a big hug, hope you can feel it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Thank you for sharing this with your blog community. You will be in our prayers...

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing....and yet so joyful that you and the family were able to be with him, to love him and know his love. What a blessing for you all. I hope you plant a tree in his memory.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm sure you know how much we appreciate your sharing. Sending best wishes around the world to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh Raewyn, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear dad. Losing a parent leaves a big hole. He had such a nice face and the photo of the two of you together is lovely. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your post was beautifully written, you could read the love you have for your Dad the whole way through... hold on to and cherish those memories...
    Big Hugs
    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a beautiful tribute to your father. It sounds like you had a wonderful relationship with him. I know this is a hard time for you and just want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  27. So sorry for your loss, Raewyn. So glad you and your family had that special time together.

    ReplyDelete
  28. You have lovely memories of your lovely Dad Raewyn, and the love you shared is so evident in your post. The way you and family were able to spend the last weeks with him is very special and I am sure it will help you all for a long time to come. Much love and thank you for sharing with us. xx

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thinking of you & your family at this very sad time. You obviously had a special relationship with your Dad, this will help you to get through the coming weeks. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Raewyn, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing, I know you will miss him, it is so obvious from the pictures that he was a loving and much loved Dad and friend, and a huge part of your life. Condolences and good wishes to your Mum and to you and your family.
    Love and hugs,
    Nicky xxx

    ReplyDelete
  31. So sorry to read of your Dad's passing, but glad you were able to the last few weeks with him.

    ReplyDelete
  32. So sad to hear of your loss. Sounds like you got to share his final days and have them to cherish along with your lifetime of memories of him.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you for sharing your personal story. I believe we are who we are as a result of all things that happen in our lives. I am so glad to hear about your loving father and family. Hugs to you.

    ReplyDelete
  34. What beautiful words to describe those last weeks you all shared... Raewyn I hope your family finds strength in the love and the memories.

    ReplyDelete
  35. So special Raewyn to be included in your extended world of friendship and family. What a wonderful last journey you and you family took to be with him in his final days and hours...that is really so special. My sadness and sympathy for you as this is such a time of loss and grief for you and your family. His life must have been a joy to you all, and I know he will be forever in your hearts. Much love to all.

    ReplyDelete
  36. It is so very painful to lose a parent.
    There are no words to ease the pain.
    Cherish the memory you have of your father.
    Big hug from me for you.

    Marga♥

    ReplyDelete
  37. Raewyn, my thoughts are with you and your family. Are you back home?

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm so sorry Raewyn. And that is a beautiful photo of you and him.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Raewyn, so sorry to hear of your dad's passing away. I hope you and your family are bearing up and especially your mum, hope she will be ok too. Time heals the hurt slowly, you have all your wonderful memories to keep and look back on. Sorry I have only just read your blog as my computer has been down for weeks! Thinking of you. sue~nz

    ReplyDelete
  40. So sorry for your loss. Your post is a wonderful tribute to your dad. You have your own personal guardian angel watching over you now. Huggggs.

    ReplyDelete
  41. My heart goes out to you, Raewyn. You will be in my prayers tonight. I hadn't read this post until tonight, but I had been thinking about you, how I hadn't heard from you in a while.. weird how that happens.. and how I needed to come over and see what you've been up to. It sounds as though his passing couldn't have been more loving and peaceful, and your time together as a family such a gift. Love the pics you shared of him. They seem to show his personality well! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  42. Raewyn, i am truly sorry for your loss, your father sounded like a wonderful man and i am glad yu had he opportunity to be with him for his last days .My thoughts and prayers are with you and your fami. hugs Sheila

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Raewyn, I haven't been able to keep up with many blogs lately and just now came upon your post. I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing and am wishing you much peace in his memory. Take care.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate them all and try my best to reply. Have a great day!!
(If you are a no-reply or anonymous blogger and would like a response, please leave an email address.)