I’ve not shared any updates since September either here on the blog or over on the Facebook Page so I thought I’d write a little something just to bring you all upto date with how we’re doing.
If you’d rather listen than read, feel free to watch the below video instead – I’ll be covering the same points in this post anyway.
So, back in October 2017 we learned that Sarah had been nominated in the Personal Bravery category of the Stars of Lowestoft & Waveney Awards – a local award ceremony recognising local people doing extraordinary things. Needless to say we were all very proud just for her to be nominated for such a thing.
On October 10th myself, Sarah’s parents and her brother David attended the award ceremony at a local hotel and to our delight, she won the award. A lovely engraved plaque now sits alongside her ashes on our fireplace at home. With her winning the kids received a big bundle of games and goodies, and the sponsors of the category – my former employers – have said we can also have a tree planted locally in Sarah’s name. We’re yet to arrange for that to happen but it will be sorted in due course.
The year went on and Halloween came and went, followed by Christmas. Me and the kids spent Halloween as we always do – by throwing ourselves a little tea party before heading out trick or treating. Getting them all dressed up and face painted alone was a bit of a chore but I managed and they really enjoyed themselves so, mission accomplished!
As for Christmas it was a bit more difficult. Generally we would celebrate over the course of three or four days, but this year we kept things to a minimum, whilst ensuring the kids got everything they could from the festive season. We did the usual Santa’s grotto trip, the kids went to the local Panto, we attended the town’s lights switch on etc.
One thing I was worried about was getting the kids presents right. They’re at difficult ages and have very specific interests, and their Christmas lists is something Sarah used to take care of so this was all new to me. But looking back now I think I got it right which is a relief. I just didn’t want to let any of them down. Luckily they all loved their gifts.
Just last week – five days ago in fact – marked one year since Sarah passed away. It was a Friday. I decided to give the older four a day off school and Logan a day off nursery and we just spent the day together. I took them all out for lunch then we came home again and the kids played happily on their games and gadgets.
I gave them all the memory blankets which Sarah had made for them before she passed away. They are little cream coloured blankets covered in a photo collage, loads of pictures of Sarah and the kids together, they loved them. Lacey also read through the memory book Sarah had written for her – she found it very emotional and came to me in tears after reading – but it’s something she can keep forever and treasure.
