Categories:
love life
To Kent this past weekend, and a much needed break for both of us, to re-group and celebrate my birthday. An easy journey and posh hotel in which to relax and enjoy some time away from our worries. The rain kept us wrapped up in our room, and wrapped up in each other. We ate well, laughed a lot, and fell in love all over again.
Treatment has been doing its darnedest to batter J's physical and mental reserves; yet there is not one tiny dent in her passionate love for life, or her ability to laugh in the face of its insults and obstacles. There have been long nights of the soul; wondering if cancer will return for a third time, and deciding that there is nothing for it but to just get on with living. She has temporarily lost her hair; but buys natty hats and scarves, friends visit her when she is feeling depleted, and she takes advantage of the well-being days provided by cancer charities.
So the weekend away was a blessing, and when the rain stopped we were out making the most of the brilliant sunshine. I took J on a mystery tour of the Kent high weald. The rain had brought life and colour to the forest, so I turned the car towards a favourite place.
High up on this great wooded ridge we could see for miles across the forests and lakes and fields. The sun shone through the breaking clouds and the birds began to sing as we sat amongst the trees, content to spend a quiet hour watching and listening. A woodpecker knocked in the distance. A Nuthatch called above us while busily collecting nest materials, and we heard a Peregrine whistling over the hill.
After a long while, I packed my binoculars away and looked around, refocusing on the trees around us. J had wandered off to sit quietly. I watched as she made herself comfortable on a log bench. She breathed slowly and lifted her face to the sun, her broad smile adding to this beautiful afternoon. Seeing her relax here in the wood, away from her concerns and worries, I caught my breath and felt a catch in my throat. I wished this awful time over with, and I wished for more years of happiness together.
Most of all I wished my J a long and wonderful life, as she so deserves.
Comments (5)
That penultimate paragraph reminded me of a couple of days before I was discharged from hospital last year. I went outside for the first time in two weeks and sat on a bench just outside the hospital, in Big's arms, in the sunshine, feeling its warmth, smiling and crying at the same time.
Best wishes to you and J. The hair will, of course, come back xBeautifully written, and summed up the weekend perfectly, thankyou my romantic knight in shining armour, from your not too distressed damsel !
You are a magnificent Romantic in an age where they are sorely needed. May the gorgeous Spring sun shine on you both for many years to come.
A beautiful post - may J get stronger and share many more happy years with you.
welling up in the library is not cool maaan.never mind, thank you for the opportunity...