Wednesday 8th November 2023
Our quick trip to St Annes-on-the-Sea is over. The funeral is over, but it did set me thinking about all sorts of things at 5am this morning. The bnb that we stayed in was very comfortable and quiet and I enjoyed chatting with ex SA radio talent and producer turned hotelier. I find it fascinating when people emigrate, probably because I experienced being uprooted from my birth country at the age of 5.
My friend Anna, who's family is in St Annes-on-the-Sea was an immigrant too. She returned to the UK as a 20 year old and stayed. In a small way I envy her, her capacity to settle. She blossomed in her return to her birth country and loves the cold. She does cold water swimming too and just glows when she talks about it. We met in her hotel this morning for a coffee and continued catch-up. I have many lovely people that I don't communicate with but can instantly pick up as if there's been no gaps in conversation and Anna is one of them.
I consider it an honour to step in and out of people's lives and I have loved the past couple of days of reminisce and family in spite of the sadness of the occasion. It's also a good chance to reflect on my own grief too. Being present in the family tears, pulls the heart and thoughts of my own dad rise to the surface.
Life is fast but precious and I'm feeling a lot of gratitude again tonight.
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