As you know, my stepmum died last week. We had her funeral on Wednesday in Wineborough. It was a lovely service, her son’s said lots of lovely things about her. I wanted to stand up, but I knew it wouldn’t take long and I would be in tears. In fact, I was in tears from the moment I first saw the casket, because Dad made it. It made it to look like a Clinker Dinghy. It was beautiful, and as soon as I saw it, I lost it. I was pretty much a mess from then on.

I was one of the pallbearers, along with her 4 son’s and her granddaughter. We carried the coffin out to the hearse, and then put sprigs of rosemary on it. – Rosemary is for remembrance.

I was fortunate enough to catch up with my cousin and his wife who were in Christchurch and decided to come up for the funeral. His mum, my Auntie, died earlier this year. It was a sad occasion for all of us.

Pretty much since Wednesday, I haven’t been writing. I just don’t have the passion or drive at the moment. And that’s okay. I am grieving for a loved one that meant a lot to me and my writing.

Monday is a return to normal, going back to work, so being back into a routine might help with the writing, but if it doesn’t, I’m not panicked. I will write again, and soon, I just need to give myself time to cry for the loss of a loved one.