Jayne Johnson - Civil Celebrant

09/10/2024

Imagine living with a scream inside you.
And the scream is yours.
And no one else hears it.
That is grief.
Imagine living with a scream inside you—a scream that is yours alone.
It’s loud, it’s piercing, and it reverberates through every part of your being.
And yet, no one else hears it.
Grief can make the world feel so distant.
You might be in the middle of a conversation,
but your mind is elsewhere, caught in that scream.
What does a silent scream even sound like?
What would it sound like if someone else could hear it?
Perhaps it isn't really a scream but a feeling
with sound, one so raw, so painful, so excruciating
that there are no words to describe it,
so it becomes a sound, a noise, a vibration
that rages through our entire body, screaming,
The scream of grief.

~ Author Unknown

~ Art 'Grief' by Max Kidwell

My Garden of Grief

30/09/2024

If I'm being honest,
I don't think the true finality of death ever really sets in. The thought of something we love being gone forever is a concept that is too complex.
I kind of think, in a way, our minds simply shut down. The grief might diminish, but the finality never really sets in.
The missing never really stops ..

Alannah Carbonneau ✨

Artist Credit : MyMoonGarden via Etsy

27/09/2024

There is a silence that follows a heartbreak,
a stillness that fills the space where someone used to be.
It's in the empty seat at the table, in the quiet of an empty room, in the spaces between breaths.
You keep waiting for the noise to return, for the familiar sound of their laughter or their voice, but it never does.
And so, you live in that silence, carrying the weight of their absence like a stone in your chest, wondering if you'll ever feel whole again or if you'll always be just a little bit broken ..

Lang Leav ✨

Artist Credit : Lucy Campbell

26/09/2024

Busy day (socially) today… out with my wee brother Andrew and wee sister Margaret for my brothers birthday breakfast then met up with my pal Jan from Canada for a coffee during her wee trip to Scotland!

24/09/2024

I missed you quietly today. So quietly that no one noticed.

I missed you as I climbed out of bed and as I brushed my teeth; when I waited at the lights on the drive into work and as I heard the rain outside my window.

I missed you as I ordered lunch and as I kicked off my shoes when I got home; as I switched off the lights and climbed into bed for the night.

I missed you without tears or noise or fanfare.
But oh how I felt it.

I felt it in the morning, at lunchtime, in the evening, and at night. I felt it as I woke, as I waited, as I worked. I felt it at home, on the road, in the light, in the dark, in the rain.

I felt it in every one of those moments, each one sitting heavier and heavier as the weight of me missing you kept growing and growing.

Yes, I missed you so quietly today.

But I felt it so loudly.

***************************

Becky Hemsley 2024
Artwork inspired by Lilymoon
***************************
‘Quietly’ is a newer poem

21/09/2024

My wee Pixie had a haircut and spa day yesterday. Sprout had a “spa day”… they loved it and Pixie looks really cute with her shorter hair!

17/09/2024

Someone needs this today… I can feel it 💛

From Growing Brave 🌱📙
UK: https://amzn.eu/d/0h6ASuCQ
US: https://a.co/d/cboRlcn

21/08/2024

It would have been my wedding anniversary today… for Ros.

GRATEFUL TEARS

How do I say goodbye
to the sun that lights my sky
to the moon that guides the night
with its courage-giving light

How can I find the words
the thought is so absurd
like the forest full of trees
rising up to take its leave

How can I walk away
how do I face a day
that doesn’t hold you in it
I won’t survive a minute

But then I hear your voice
reminding me of choice
the love you brought with you
will hold us tight like glue

So special was your path
so magical, your laugh
so lucky was my chance
to hold you in this dance

And so I’ll leave you here
and let you keep my fear
and love is all I’ll take
the love you helped me make

Sleep sweetly, safe and loved
send signs from up above
I thank you for the years
as I cry grateful tears.

Donna Ashworth

‘Grateful Tears’, from Growing Brave

Art by Caitlin Connolly

21/08/2024

Our loved ones leave behind a light
that will never dim or fade
It's kept bright by the love we feel
and the memories we made.
It can warm us like a candle glow
and help bring comfort too.
And no matter where you go you'll find
It's always close to you.
And in the darkest times remember
in our hearts their light is strong ,
So every time we think of them
Their memory shines on ...

Unknown ✨

Artist Credit : Endmion 1

12/08/2024

Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul
there is no such thing as separation ..

Rumi ✨

Artist Credit : Deviantart

04/08/2024

I met Andy a couple of months ago when I was taking a service at Kirkcaldy.

06/07/2024

When grief
first came knocking,
I thought I had
two choices.

I could lock the door.
close the blinds.
Activate alarms
And shut it out.
But I still
lived in fear
of its intrusion,
of it finding a way
around my security systems,
around my defenses.

Or, I could invite it over
for morning coffee.
I would set the terms.
Block out the time.
I would get my house in order
and sit beside it,
let it say its piece
and send it away
as quickly as it came.

But grief doesn’t care much
for schedules
or facades.
An unexpected visitor
who comes and goes
as it pleases.

So, now I’m learning
another way.
When grief comes to visit,
I leave the door unlocked.
Sometimes, it
Frantically storms in.
Sometimes, it taps quietly on
the door waiting for
my response.

But, I’m learning to let it in.
To sit with it.
To see it.
To feel it.

So now,
When grief knocks,
I let it in.

I let it in.

~ Liz Newman

16/06/2024

LOVE CAME FIRST

You don’t move on after loss, but you must move with. You must shake hands with grief, welcome her in, for she lives with you now. Pull her a chair at the table and offer her comfort. She is not the monster you first thought her to be. She is love. And she will walk with you now, stay with you now, peacefully. If you let her.
And on the days when your anger is high, remember why she came, remember who she represents. Remember. Grief came to you my friend because love came first. Love came first...

Donna Ashworth

For anyone struggling today

From Wild Hope ♥️
UK: https://amzn.eu/d/2j0Nquu
US: https://a.co/d/h6FEaTv

15/06/2024

I missed you quietly today. So quietly that no one noticed.

I missed you as I climbed out of bed and as I brushed my teeth; when I waited at the lights on the drive into work and as I heard the rain outside my window.

I missed you as I ordered lunch and as I kicked off my shoes when I got home; as I switched off the lights and climbed into bed for the night.

I missed you without tears or noise or fanfare.
But oh how I felt it.

I felt it in the morning, at lunchtime, in the evening and at night. I felt it as I woke, as I waited, as I worked. I felt it at home, on the road, in the light, in the dark, in the rain.

I felt it in every one of those moments, each one sitting heavier and heavier as the weight of me missing you kept growing and growing.

Yes, I missed you so quietly today.

But I felt it so loudly.

***

Becky Hemsley 2024
Artwork by IvanTurcin

08/06/2024

“When someone you love dies, you are given the gift of "second chances". Their eulogy is a reminder that the living can turn their lives around at any point. You’re not bound by the past; that is who you used to be. You’re reminded that your feelings are not who you are, but how you felt at that moment. Your bad choices defined you yesterday, but they are not who you are today. Your future doesn’t have to travel the same path with the same people. You can start over. You don’t have to apologize to people that won’t listen. You don’t have to justify your feelings or actions, during a difficult time in your life. You don’t have to put up with people that are insecure and want you to fail. All you have to do is walk forward with a positive outlook... The people of quality that were meant to be in your life won’t need you to explain the beauty of your heart. They already understand what being human is...a roller coaster ride of emotions during rainstorms and sunshine, sprinkled with moments when you can almost reach the stars.”
Shannon L. Alder

Catrin Welz Stein

31/05/2024

A wee extra special service today for my Uncle Bobby Johnson ... we had to book a double slot to cover his life ... what a man! ... He was our family oracle and we will miss him ... my thoughts to my cousin's Louise and Brian and his family tonight. He was a lovely man and will be missed by many.

28/05/2024

💜💜💜

25/05/2024

One time I met a man
Who only had a month to live
And I asked him if he had
Any advice that he could give

He said “I wake each morning
Knowing I am going to die
So each day must remind me
I am blessed to be alive

You see, my life’s on countdown
As each hour is unfurled
I know the clock is ticking
On my time here in this world

But what you’re overlooking
Is that it’s the same for you -
You know that I am dying
But forget that you are too

So make the most of sunshine
And go dancing in the rain
And sing a little louder
When your favourite music plays

Notice nature’s colours,
Savour everything you taste
Stop waiting for tomorrow
‘Cause you’ve got no time to waste

And could you say convincingly
That you’d have no regrets?
If just the next few days or weeks
Were all that you had left?”

And then my breath caught quickly
When he turned to me and asked
“Could you say that you died happy
If this day had been your last?”

*****

Becky Hemsley 2023

Letters from Life: Words to feed your heart and soul

14/05/2024

Well… my first solo holiday is almost over.. and I’ve loved it… finished it off with the island tour … coach, boat, tram and train.. then when I was going to my room I met another first time solo traveller so we had dinner and a drink by the pool together. Absolutely loved every minute just doodling around (even if my hired mobility scooter caused a few headaches)… all packed (nearly) and leaving Majorca with happy memories!

11/05/2024

Solo holidays abroad. Just do it… it’s fantastic. I’m currently trying to become a bronzed Budda in Majorca and loving every minute. I am just going with the flow without any pressure from anyone else. Although today was a bit of a nightmare when my mobility scooter ran out of power 100 feet (but on a steep hill) from my hotel…. I did travel around 12 miles on it today though! Thankfully a kind young Spanish guy pushed it up the hill and into the hotel (with me mainly just steering)… he spoke little English and I speak no Spanish but we giggled all the way into reception! Tomorrow further adventures on my not so trusty steed call.. I won’t go as far though!

07/05/2024

05/05/2024

Well… I’m off for the next two weeks. I fly to Majorca on Wednesday for my first solo holiday abroad… case is packed and I promise no bikini’s! I will have access to emails if anyone needs to contact me while I’m trying to become a bronzed goddess *cough*

25/04/2024

Thoughtful Thursday...

22/04/2024

Sara Rian Books