What an emotional day this has been – waking to stunning news from America, going for breakfast with lovely friends and coming back to find a message asking me to call the husband of one of my dearest friends. I have lost another friend, a colleague, a sister – a young woman with whom I worked for 15 years, with whom I built the Training School at Hayfield Comprehensive and whom I loved most dearly. We two were a force to be reckoned with.
I have two quotations for you today, one taken from American substack writer Liza Donnelly’s daily email for which I thank her.
“In an interview years ago, Fred Rogers said that when he was a boy, his mother told him that if he was scared, “Look for the helpers. When you see the helpers, you will know that there’s hope.”
We have so many helpers! Become a helper, join them and let them help you figure out what your role could be. This morning, I am getting many messages from friends asking me if I’m okay. These friends are helpers, their comfort is soothing. We are not alone.”
And from my much loved choir leader, more positivity:
Instructions
Gather your helpers, your people, your community and find hope.
utesmile
November 7, 2024 at 3:17 pm
So sorry for your loss of a wonderful person dear to you.
Hugs xx
mybeautfulthings
November 7, 2024 at 10:09 pm
Thank you so much, hugs received with gratitude. xx
Heyjude
November 7, 2024 at 11:37 am
So sorry to hear about your friend. What a huge shock for you and her family. ❤️
mybeautfulthings
November 7, 2024 at 10:10 pm
It was – in February given the all clear from her breast cancer 5 years on and then suddenly unwell and gone in less than a month. Thank you for your love. xx
nrhatch
November 7, 2024 at 3:35 am
Sorry, Sally. Life is tough to handle at times.
All the best to your young friends family.
And to you.
mybeautfulthings
November 7, 2024 at 10:12 pm
It certainly is and I will pass on your kind thoughts. We will continue to look for the beautiful things and now do it for S as well as for Kath. xx
beth
November 7, 2024 at 1:05 am
I’m so sorry
mybeautfulthings
November 7, 2024 at 10:12 pm
Thank you. xx
JoAnne
November 7, 2024 at 1:01 am
Sally,
Sending thanks for being a kind helper from across the pond, and sympathy for the passing of your dear friend.
JoAnne
mybeautfulthings
November 7, 2024 at 10:18 pm
Thank you for that, JoAnne. Still reeling from the results of your election as you must be but as Kamala says we must “fill the sky with the light of a billion brilliant stars, the light of optimism” and keep the fight going. Love to you .
snoakes7001
November 6, 2024 at 9:30 pm
❤️
Ark
November 6, 2024 at 8:55 pm
So terribly sorry for your loss, Sally. Dreadful news indeed.
mybeautfulthings
November 6, 2024 at 10:02 pm
Thanks Ark. Such a shock that has left me (and her young family) shattered.
Ark
November 6, 2024 at 10:03 pm
Without doubt. Tragic. Did the poor woman have children?
mybeautfulthings
November 6, 2024 at 10:30 pm
Two teenagers. She was given the all clear from breast cancer in February, felt unwell at the start of Oct and died last Saturday. She was 59. I was her mentor first and then we worked together and became such close friends. Thank you for your care.