Of This And That

The funeral went off very well if you can say such things about funerals. We were unable to have the gun carriage as the snow was too bad and that had to be cancelled at the last minute. However, the whole of the service was military or as military as it could be. The coffin was piped in by a wonderful piper to the lament "Flowers Of The Forest", Royal Artillery prayers were used, suitable hymns, I wrote the eulogy which was read by our family solicitor. A contingent of the Royal Artillery Association was there and the Standard bearer stood by the coffin the whole time. The minister did a nice speech about Geoffrey and his service to the country. When it was over, a buglar played "Sunset" and the standard was lowered as the coffin went through the curtains. Then the mourners left to the Royal Artillery Quick Step March. I think Geoff would have approved.



Since then it has been house clearance. God, what a job. Geoff and his wife never threw anything away even if it was broken, they kept every lottery ticket since the lottery started. There was jumpers with holes in them, old torn sheets, you name it, it was there. We hired a skip over the weekend and it has taken three full days just to clear the upstairs (not including furniture).

Becky and Dean have been wonderful with their help. I can only sort through papers as my knees have gone again. It could be that the injections have just worn off but my doctor says because my back and shoulders are bad as well, the shock of the sudden death and all it entails has triggered off my arthritis again.

I am due at the breast clinic next Monday, might have to use the wheelchair to get me there as walking down long corridors is involved. The worrying thing is my doctor also told me that several discs in my lower back are so bad that an operation is the only answer and they only do that as a last resort because of the risks involved. Please God I can carry on for a good while yet before it comes to that. The left knee is a different matter, I know that will have to be replaced but cannot have it done until all the work is finished both clearing, legal and selling the house.

I can only hope they give me injections into my knees again when I attend next Wednesday - yes two appointments in one week. Fresh injections should keep me going for a while longer.

I have also been ordering up a new headstone. Mum and Dad's was very worn and letters had fallen off but the main reason was there was no room for a new inscription and Geoff wanted to be buried with them. So that is all in hand. I never seem to get any time to relax, really relax both mentally and physically as my mind is buzzing with all that has to be done.

I need to get off here now as my back is hurting. Please send out prayers and good wishes for my healing and also for my two hospital visits next week. Hope I get the all clear on the first and injections on the second.