This is a post of two halves, as life always is, with all the happiness that you find, you will also find
sadness too and maybe we need that sadness to know just how very good the happiness is.
Sometimes that is a hard lesson to learn but with time that realisation does come.
I instantly loved this wonderful happy picture as it so illustrates one of the great joys in my life -
women with all their foibles, playing dress up in their own grown up world but still little
girls in their mums' high heels x
Tomorrow would have been my brothers 42nd birthday, he drowned on his 16th birthday 26 years ago -
I still miss him, I always will.
I debated hard but I wanted to remember him here because somehow it keeps him alive in my life x
Image Jak & Jil Blog
It means so much that you have done this Claire. I always loved that photo of you both taken when we first arrived in South Africa, when you both still wore socks and shoes unlike the South African children who ran around bare foot! Thank you. A sad day but we have so many wonderful memories and they make it special. Lots of love, M and D xxx
ReplyDeleteLots of love to you both too xxxxxx
ReplyDeletewell, you are so right about the two halves! sometimes it is scary when you are too happy, it is like charlotte in SATC, you are scared something bad is going to happen! so sorry to hear about your brother! on his birthday, i cannot imagine what you and your family have been trough!
ReplyDeletethanks for your kind words Mrs K - it is true we are almost too scared that life is this good - waiting for the bad tomorrow - i have learnt to live for today and ignore the fears. Have a good weekend x
ReplyDeleteI think it is so true about the sad things making the happy times even sweeter. I am so sorry that you lost your brother, and think it's really important to remember our loved ones. It does make their memory live on. Many warm thoughts to you today.
ReplyDeletexo Mary Jo
Really loved how the way you described that photo to be. It was intriguing and so original but it hit me hard cos it is true. & really sorry about your brother cos i lost my mother and i know how hard it must have been. You're such an inspiration for being so strong :)
ReplyDeletexo
Seraphina L.
www.bluepepperavenue.blogspot.com
I'm so sorry because of your brother, I can't imagine have do you feel!
ReplyDeleteI totaly agree with you, what you said in first two sentences.
xoxo
Antonia
I totally love that first photo, so inspiring :D
ReplyDeleteDayByDiva.Com
DayByDiva.Com
That is an awesome picture and sorry to hear about your brother even if it happened years ago.. it is always hard when someone passes away..
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Angel
wow, reading that brought a tear to my eye... how sad but also as you said keeping the memories you have alive means he will always be with you... xx
ReplyDeleteanna
sometimes life throws curve balls at you but it is how you handle those situations that counts and makes you the person that you are.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful picture of you two - something to remember him by.
Claire, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I know the pain never goes, but these tragedies make you appreciate life and trying to live every single day to the full. There is always a balance, a perfect balance in the world, and it's sometimes scary to think of it. It's sometimes hard to ignore the fears, as you put it, but it's the only way to move forward. xoxo
ReplyDeleteAda
Great inspiring post. I'm glad you've stayed strong and kept his memory alive.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blackandblondeone.com/
first the happy: great minds think alike, I just post that same picture of those women, totally agree with you.
ReplyDeleteOk and now i am so sorry, is so good that you remember him here! Sometimes things in life are difficult and we try to forget, but you brave woman, remember, because its part of your life and it makes you who you are right now. Thanks for sharing!
xx
Mariale
Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteso cute photos =)) nice blog, am a new follower here.. =)) hope you can visit my blog and follow me too hihihi
ReplyDeletehttp://sittieinthecity.blogspot.com/
My thoughts are with you today. Has brought to the fore everyone I know who left me early too. They never leave you. I have just read your M & D comment so now I am crying. Love to you all Xxxx
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss and I know that pictures are a way to save memories!
ReplyDeleteMy father passed away when I was 8 years and I know how you feel!
hugs and kisses by Mani.
sorry to hear about your brother.
ReplyDeletesending lots of love to your family!
michelle
I love shoes!!!!!!!! :)
ReplyDeletenice photos! :)
zielonaanka.blogspot.com
I love the first pic. The shoes are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteKisses! muakkkks!
Sure! Following you now. Follow me back too. :*) Thanks for the comment, by the way. :">
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry and sad to hear about your loss. I can't imagine your pain, but I just can say that You are amazing sister and I'm sure he is proud of You, because he actually never left You, he is always in your heart.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with You about about life two halves.
You have new follower.
♥
xoxo Ra
I would like to take this oportunity to thank everyone for there lovely words this weekend - they have brought (more) tears to my eyes, and made me smile. To share such a personal thing was a decision i did not take lightly but i am so glad i did. Death is a very taboo subject in our society and yet so many of us are touched by it in an untimely manner - for all of you who have shared such a loss my heartfelt thoughts are with you - thank you again - i have been to each site and left a message personally. I know my mum and dad will value all your words too xx
ReplyDeleteI knew you from the start that you are a lovely, sincere and amazing person and this reaffirms it. Seeing this post, I know it takes courage to express something so personal to everyone so I cyber pat you on the back for that. It encourages me personally. Thanks blogger BFF. xx from Soleil
ReplyDeletehttp://sharpthreads.blogspot.com
Dear Claire,
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you my kindest thoughts and warmest hugs,
Aura
Lovely post!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm following you! And you?
kiss,yumiKo
http://yumikontheworld.blogspot.com
Wonderful and heartfelt post. I am truly sorry for your loss. I want to thank you for sharing this piece of yourself. We are all so much "bigger" than we might appear on screen. A good lesson. Thank you Claire.
ReplyDeleteSada
Dressology HQ
i am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post-I'm a new follower and this really touched me. You clearly miss your brother very much but he will always be with you and live on in your memories. Much Love Amie xxx
ReplyDeletewww.creditcrunchchic.blogspot.com