Dear Everyone

I am still here...

I know it has been a very long time. That was certainly not the plan all!! I haven't touched a needle in almost 6 months. My embroidery has been quiet  - my needles have been idle. No new kits or projects. No news or emails. No teaching or classes and for a few weeks the online shops were temporarily closed. 


It has long been my intension to write, to let you know what was happening. Why I was not sharing any embroidery news. If you have followed along for a little while, you would know that I don't often share much about what happens in my world outside my embroidery. That is not because I don't want to, I guess it is just how this blog has evolved and the embroidery is what is important in this space. Many of you have supported my stitching adventures for a very long time, and I want you to know how much I appreciate that support. 

My winter garden putting on a show.

Life happens. And with that also loss. A few weeks ago I lost my Love, my husband, Adrian. He had beaten cancer almost five years ago and was so close to being in the clear. He was fit and healthy and there was absolutely no signs or reasons for us to worry... then came January 2022. It reared it's ugly head, suddenly, out of the blue and with a vengeance.  It took only 5 months - possibly the longest and hardest, and at the same time quickest 5 months of my life - and then he was gone. It was a shock to all of us just how quickly it consumed him.

Our Beautiful home that Adrian built for us.

As well as all the practical stuff that comes with loosing a loved one, I have to sell our property. That is another big thing. We have lived here for close to 20 years, built the vineyard up from almost nothing - Adrian built the house. We thought, and hoped, he had more time, and set to work on getting the property ready for sale together, but we just didn't quite get there. So I am busy packing, sorting and cleaning.

Our amazing view - one I will most certainly miss.

Family and friends, and in particular our sons, Esben and Lucas, have been, and still are an amazing help and support through all of this. There are so many jobs to be done around the property, most of which were completely Adrian's domain. I helped, but he was the driver and I have no idea how a lot of things work and am having to learn quite a few new 'farm-girl' duties. Every time we solve a new puzzle, like pumping water around (we are not on mains water and collect it in big tanks) or getting the slasher hooked up to the tractor and working, it is a little win. 

I am afraid Tilly knows how to ride the mowers, bikes and tractors - I don't.

And then ~ In the middle of all the sadness and chaos ~ I became a grandma. Baby Oliver arrived just over a week after his Pa died. I like to think their souls hung out for a bit somewhere. He is the sweetest wee thing. You forget just how tiny they are at first. Like a little fragile baby bird.

I am slowly finding my balance, finding my new feet, some kind of new normal. There is a million things, I have to do, decisions I have to make and things I have to deal with - I have lists everywhere. It is not all things I want to be doing or have to think about, but in some strange way it works - it means I have to get up each morning and get things done each day. It keeps my mind distracted from the gaping hole of what was....

I am not entirely sure what will happen next. I am slowly getting back to my embroidery. For now though, it is mostly just restocking kits and getting back to teaching my regular class. It feels nice to be doing something familiar. I am not sure how much actual stitching I will be able to do until I am settled somewhere. I am lucky to have a place I can stay while I am finding a new house to call home. It is small and most of my embroidery stuff is packed away, so being super creative might be tricky - but then again, one never knows...

I will keep you posted. 

Hugs Anna X 

Comments

  1. Sincerest sympathy, Anna. I am so sorry for your loss. May little Oliver bring you much comfort and joy.

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  2. Kathleen Van OrsdelJune 30, 2022 at 9:38 PM

    Anna, I am sorry for your loss. I lost my husband in December, so I am going through many of the same things you are. Wish I had that Little Oliver to lighten the days, but know he will be loved by you and your family. Best to you and keep all of us out here advised and we'll keep you in our prayers.

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  3. Hugs to you! We have been through similar experiences here. In the last 3 years my parents and son in laws father and brother in law have died. Gained a beautiful grandbaby. And babysitting full time when my daughter went back to work. Cancer scare with my husband, Covid, evacuated our home for a night because of wild fires which thank goodness didn't take our home! I don't think I would have made it through all of it without the snippets of time spent on the joy of needle work!

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  4. Dear Anna, I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.

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  5. Dear Ana, I am so sorry to read about the passing of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Congratulations on the birth of your grandchild.

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  6. Dear Anna
    No words can say how sorry I am for you. My thoughts, love and prayers. Deb Love

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  7. Dear Anna, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. There are no words to express the sorrow and shock of such a loss. I am sure your family are a great help and comfort. And there is nothing like a new born life to keep you going and believing in the future. Congratulations on the little one! My thoughts are with you. I hope your path smooths before you and becomes more clear. I hope you will find time for stitching again too.

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  8. Dear Anna, I am so sorry to know of your dear husband's loss. It is wonderful that you have the support of your two sons, and have also welcomed your new grandson, to help ease your transition to a new phase in life. Have always appreciated your beautiful embroidery work, and your sharing of embroidery knowledge with all of us. - Sharon

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  9. Thank you everyone so much for your sweet and lovely comments. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the kindness and love coming my way.
    Hugs

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