Walk in the hills
Posted on by Debbie

A Sentence a Day for February: A mix of tears and laughter

February – in a Sentence a Day

The not so good part of February

January was a hard month with the passing of my father, and February started with Dad’s funeral, so it’s fair to say it’s been a rough time so far this year.

Siblings and partners with mum
Family

The pretty good part of February

With all the family together – my siblings and 9 of 10 grandchildren who made it for their grandfather’s funeral – coming in from all over Australia and one from England, it was a nice time in some ways.  It seems weird to say that we had fun, but it was lovely to just be together.  Listening to them all get on so well, looking and laughing at old photos, sharing their memories, being with Grandma and helping out in so many little ways.  It was a lovely and very special time together. The rest of the month was spent coming to terms with everything, getting back into things and enjoying life as Dad would want us to.

Read on for more:

  1. Thursday: Family started to arrive in Murwillumbah for the funeral tomorrow.  We had a fabulous Airbnb called Queenie booked for our daughters – it was so stylish!
    Queenie with the girls
    Stylish Queenie in Murwillumbah
    Aussie style
  2. Friday: A wet cold day for Dad’s funeral, but it all went really well and we laughed and cried throughout the day.
  3. Saturday: Another wet, cool day which started with a delicious breakfast with my immediate family. We spent the rest of the day together at the beach with most of the family.

    With our girls
    With our girls
  4. Sunday: A nicer day weather-wise, so we went to nearby Kingscliff for fish and chips on the beach before my sister and her husband left. Everyone is starting to leave 😦
  5. Monday: My aunt left today to start her long trip back to the UK, we are all feeling the goodbyes very keenly.
  6. Tuesday: Mum and I did some administrative things, solicitors, banks and informing authorities.  Those of us who were left all went out for a final dinner together.
    A cute shot with Melanie before she headed back to UK
    Grandma with three of her 10 grandchildren
  7. Wednesday: The last of the visitors left mum today, so it was very sad to say goodbye as we all headed home in different directions.  I feel like I’ve been on another planet for the past 3 weeks and have no idea what’s been going on in the world.
  8. Thursday: We finally arrived home and it felt weird, but I really enjoyed my first walk in the forest and the beautiful views!

    Walk in the hills
    My first walk in the hills for over 3 weeks!
  9. Friday: Catching up at home, reading mail, washing, and feeling lost.
  10. Saturday: The annual Tumbatrek walk today a 10km trek with politicians, media and locals.
    Tumbatrek through the bush
    Views over Tumbarumba on Tumbatrek 2018
  11. Sunday: I spent most of the day writing a post in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge prompt of Tour Guide – if you’ve never heard of Tumbarumba you might like to have a read.
  12. Monday: I returned to aqua aerobics and Rotary – it was all a bit more difficult than I thought it would be.
  13. Tuesday: Celebrated a friend’s 70th birthday.
  14. Wednesday:  Valentines Day – Drove 5 hours to see my parents in law, staying a few days with them as we’d missed my father-in-law’s birthday in late January.
  15. Thursday: A relaxing day spent with my parents-in-law, in the garden, chatting, helping out.
  16. Friday: Caught up with our district’s Rotary Exchange students, from all over the world, who were at a surf camp – a lovely day at the beach with them.

    Let's go surfing with Rotary Youth Exchange students on NSW South Coast
    Let’s go surfing!
  17. Saturday: Returned home, stopping in to see our daughter and her husband in Canberra on the way.
  18. Sunday: Lunch out with friends to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary – a lovely day out.
  19. Monday: A busy day with aqua aerobics, discussion group lunch, followed by Book Club that evening!
  20. Tuesday: Not much happened today, one of those restful lazy days but I did write a post which I was quite pleased with – Planning, Preparation and Procrastination.  I should have been doing something else!
  21. Wednesday: My hair appointment day – always lovely to be pampered!
  22. Thursday: A day of work – supervising outdoor activities for a school group all day – so tired afterwards!!
  23. Friday: A cleaning house day – visitors are a-coming!!
  24. Saturday: Tumbafest Saturday dawned bright and sunny, with my sister and her husband and a Rotary Youth Exchange student from Germany here for the weekend.
    Tumbafest
    Gladiators relaxing by the creek at Tumbafest
    Tumbafest in Tumbarumba
  25. Sunday: Tumbafest Sunday was a bit wetter and cooler than yesterday, with lots of rain overnight, but it was still a great day of music, food and catching up with friends.

    London, Paris, Rome, Tumbarumba, New York
    London, Paris, Rome, Tumbarumba, New York
  26. Monday: A cooler start to the day than we’re used to – Discussion group lunch with our new course called Eating their Words:The Literature of Food, followed by a walk and an early night.
  27. Tuesday: Stay at home day, catching up on things and wrote a guest post for a blogging friend.
  28. Wednesday: Lunch out with two friends who both lost a parent around the same time as my dad died.

Well that was February, another hard month for my whole family.

Once again, I’m linking up with other bloggers from all over the world who also compile their month in a Sentence a Day.

(I really enjoy participating in this link-up every month.  Click on the blue frog to view other posts and to add your link).

I’d love to hear from you.

Deb xx

You can also follow Deb’s World here – let’s connect!

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40 Replies to “A Sentence a Day for February: A mix of tears and laughter”

  1. Pingback: March Madness: a time of celebrations and joy! – Deb's World
  2. Pingback: Good News Week! – Deb's World

  4. Debbie – my sincere condolences for the loss of your father. i know how you feel because I lost my father too just before Christmas. It was 1:30am on 2 December 2017 when he passed. Myself, my mother and my siblings were there with him in the hospital. He had just turned 87 but his age did not make it any easier. I am still struggling with the loss of him. Big hugs to you! xo

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    1. I’m so sorry to hear that Min and you have my heartfelt condolences too. It’s a very difficult time for everyone. It’s my father’s 80th birthday this weekend which will be the first of many ‘firsts’ so we’re all getting together. Take care and cherish your happy memories, as we will be doing.xx

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  12. Hi Deb, I felt your sadness as I read through your month. I’m so sorry for your loss, and for the pain you are all going through. I can’t even bear to think about that time when I lose my 81 year old father, but I imagine it will be absolutely horrible, so my heart sincerely goes out to you.

    The area where you live looks so breathtakingly beautiful. I look forward to learning more about your life in subsequent Sentence A Day posts.

    Hugs from California, USA.

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    1. Thanks Tamara! Your thoughtfulness had made my day. It is a hard time and I didn’t realise my sadness had shown through that much so I truly appreciate your comments.
      Our area is gorgeous and I’m very lucky to live here. Looking forward to reading more of your life too.
      Hugs coming at you from a sunny autumnal Tumbarumba 😊

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  13. I’m so sorry about your dad, Debbie. I remember when mine passed (and that was over 20 years ago) how it felt like the world just went on, even though I was mourning. Your recap of the month reminded me of that, because life does goes on. With a little bit of sadness that pops up on some days…
    Sending you lots of hugs
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Thanks Jodie, it’s been a weird time. I’m so glad you understand how I’m feeling about life going on with pops of sadness throughout. I really appreciate your kindness. Hugs back at you xx

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  17. It certainly has been a roller coaster month of emotions for you Deb but you finished with some laughter which is good. I just love that T-shirt! Although a very sad occasion, how lovely to have all the family together for your Dad’s funeral. I’m sure there were plenty of tears, hugs and also smiles remembering his life. Here’s to a wonderful March for you xx

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  18. A happy and sad round up post Deb – it’s what life’s really all about isn’t it? Sunshine and rain, good times and sad times. The Tumbafest looked like fun and it was lovely that so many family members made it to your dad’s funeral – it was the same when my dad passed – sad but also a wonderful opportunity for family to get together.

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    1. Yes you’re right Leanne, it’s sunshine and rain. The funeral was a lovely celebration of dad’s life shared with a lot of family and friends, we’re very blessed.
      Tumbafest was definitely a fun way to end off the month.

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