Give thanks

The FH spent a lot of time in the last days listening to a CD of hymns, played mostly on a guitar, that I had bought when I attended the Methodist Big Pray earlier in the year.  Number 14 on the CD quickly became his favourite track, and if I ever left him in the car whilst I popped into a shop, he always asked for that track to be loaded on to the car stereo so that he could enjoy it whilst I was away.

The track is called "Give thanks, with a grateful heart" which says it all for me.  We have so much to give thanks for right now, starting with a very happy 22 year relationship.  People are coming forward with memories of the FH which they are sharing with us now, and we are grateful for their remembering.  We have two lovely daughters, and lots of caring friends, both in real life and on the internet, supporting and encouraging us through this challenging time.

On a very practical note, I am grateful for the stores we have built up, for the vegetables I am growing in the garden, and for the food in the freezers!  We are able to conserve our ready cash at the moment whilst our immediate future income is sorted out, as we look into bereavement benefits and I begin to look around for a new way of making ends meet.  I've had delicious new potatoes, runner beans and courgette from the garden tonight.

The paperwork and organisation is occupying my time, but I had time to cut the lawns today and do some washing, as well as going to gymnastics for a while this afternoon.  I am also having some interesting times looking on the internet to contact some of the FH's old mates from his teaching and special constable days. One of his old friends has helpfully written a book, so his website was easily found!