Today marks the day my lovely Dad died in 2004. He spent his last seventeen days in the hospice and I spent every day with him. I find the beginning of December quite tricky and this year more than most, not sure why.
I’m remembering the long days full of such mixed feelings, the sadness and the reminiscing, the wonderful staff at the hospice, the way I was so well looked after as well as the amazing care for my Dad. We put up a favourite painting in his room, we took in his (now my) ‘Des Amis Silencieux” bookcase, filled with all his published books which gave every visitor a talking point.
Those who know me, know I wear vanilla perfume every day. One day, late in his stay as I bent over to kiss him good morning, he said how like ice-cream I smelt and he loved it as he loved a good Cornish ice-cream.
I’ve started decorating the tree this afternoon and love the Owl that was on the tree at home when I was growing up. 
Saw this today and loved it.
Awakening Wonders
December 19, 2023 at 7:59 pm
Be kind to yourself this holiday season!💖
mybeautfulthings
December 22, 2023 at 7:49 pm
Trying! You too! 🙂
utesmile
December 19, 2023 at 4:25 pm
Beatuiful post Sally. Those month we lost our parents are very special and memories always come up. Lovely to smell like Ice Cream! 🙂
mybeautfulthings
December 22, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Thank you so much, Ute. It’s interesting that before you lose your parents, it’s something you dread but you don’t realise, or at least, I didn’t, that the loss will reverberate over so many years. Even now, 19 years since Dad died and 31 since we lost Mum and I still think, very fleetingly, I’ll call to tell Mum/Dad that something special has happened. Hope you are well and happy. All the best for Christmas and the coming year. 🙂
utesmile
December 22, 2023 at 11:18 pm
You are so right, Sally, so right.
Hils
December 17, 2023 at 10:47 pm
December is such a month for memories isn’t it. I m glad yours are so precious to you. Sending a hug xx
mybeautfulthings
December 17, 2023 at 11:11 pm
Thank you, Hils. It hasn’t been an easy month so far but now the family visit to look forward to and the night garden. Love to you. xx