Good-bye Ann

A fortnight ago yesterday, she finally left us.  After a long, hard battle with Parkinson’s and Dementia, Mrs. Tuttle’s Mum’s health rapidly deteriated during the up and coming weeks to Christmas, which meant she stopped coming around to ours for Sunday dinners back in November.  Although it was thought that she was going to say good-bye to us all in late December, her health improved a touch, thankfully, so she was able enough to enjoy her (Christmas meal on wheels) Salmon, Crackers & Barry’s tea on Christmas Day in the home.  It turned out to be a top day to remember considering the circumstances.  But as January came we saw her speak, eat and drink less and less and less.  We knew then that this was the time.  We paid numerous visits, each one of us keeping a watchful eye on her 24/7.  She responded to us in her own way, keeping her spirits alive and because Ann was always a resilient lady her stay with us was prolonged even more.  This was good in a sense as she bought time for several more visits from close friends and relatives including two visits from Penelope and not to mention a lovely service from the Deacon, which amazingly, she was fully aware of taking place.  But she had suffered enough……

The last two weeks have been hard for us all as we are still coming to terms with her loss, adjusting to life without her, taking each day as they come.  The funeral won’t take place for another week and a bit due the Deacon being away in the Holy Land.  It isn’t the drag we want, but we are keeping ourselves busy, helping Paddy, my Father-in-Law, get his house ready for the vigil and rosary.  Ann would’ve insisted on this anyway so we had no choice.  Ann was always proud of her house.  It was always clean, tidy and well decorated.  Together, we are going through the motions of doing just that: cleaning, sorting, tidying with a bit of painting, wallpapering, jet washing and unit assembling added to the mix.  And there is still loads more to do.

Amongst the commotion today, Mrs Tuttle went through our photos on my laptop so that funeral directors can get the service card printed. This is what she found (right), taken in 2010. The shot on the left was taken when Mrs. Tuttle and I started going out together in the mid 90’s.  It always hung on the wall along the stairs in Ann and Paddy's house.  Shot on 35mm film of course, meaning I had to “scan” it with my DSLR.  It’s been a while since I’ve printed big prints.  Time to update our wall frames for time keeps sake.

We’re gonna miss you Ann x