Dear David
I am sure that I have posted this before but OK I am repeating myself
As much as Stephen's death (11/9/2012) was the most heart breaking thing that I have ever gone through, at his funeral we celebrated his life.
I don't remember a great deal about it. My heart was so shattered. Yes black coat,skirt and cream blouse (it was Stephen's coat not sentiment just "gosh I put on weight and his coat fits me")
I wore a very smart red hat and a purple pashmina.
I know my clothes may seem strange but see below and I cannot believe how I kept it all together. At the service (Celebrant) I stood up and talked about Stephen. Mostly complimentary, but not all. His employees nodded their heads a few times, when I spoke about him being fair but a bloody hard taskmaster. I spoke about what he meant to me, the kids, the grandchildren, etc.
I finished with this. It is by Jenny Joseph and Stephen loved it
WARNING
When I am an old woman I shall wear Purple
With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for all the sobriety of my youth
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example to the children
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers
But maybe I ought to practice a little now
So people who know me are not too shocked and and surprised
When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.
Fingers crossed for you that you have many more years to come
Love from Gill xxx