Family

It's been a busy week all told.
I've hardly been home given work, Sheffield and travelling.
Earlier tonight I completed a Samaritan shift with a new mentee.
He joked about my weight , which was inappropriate given our "new" relationship
I was tired so I didn't challenge it!
But , rest assured I will.
I got back to the cottage just before 10 pm and it was far too humid and close to remain inside
So I took Winnie and Mary for a walk around the Churchyard as night fell and dusk disappeared properly
We sat together on the raised bank on top of  Islwyn' s wall to watch the inky sky.  Winnie with her strong back against mine. Mary, on point on my knee, the contact between us all bringing a certain stillness to the group.
Albert ambled over, as I knew he would and he bumped heads with Winnie who bumped him back with a rancid burb and the two old friends leaned on each other as Albert's tail thrashed too and fro as he watched a fat rabbit dart from the hooded tomb on the side of the church towards the rectory gateway.
He didn't stalk it.
He just couldn't be arsed
We sat together for a while as the night cooled us all
With only me missing George's taciturn bad breath and grumpy aroos

And after half an hour or so the four of us got up out of the damp grass and slowly headed for home


41 comments:

  1. A sweet and poignant slice of your life.

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  2. Sometimes you need stillness. I crave it at the moment.

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  3. Literally got each others' backs. Sleep well happy family.

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  4. I've never found a dog's breath to be taciturn. It barks loudly to impart the foul nature of their old age.

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  5. I've never understood how people think they have the right to comment on someone else's weight. When I was first married, a soldier in my husband's company made a comment about my weight to another soldier in Spanish not knowing I understood what he said. He was surprised when I told him in Spanish to kiss my @#& and go f himself. It felt good to speak up for myself. Hugs to you and your furbabies.

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  6. Barbara Anne12:20 am

    What a sweet word picture of a blissful time of you, Winnie, Mary, and Albert enjoying the cool of the approaching night together.

    Wishing each of you well.

    Hugs!

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  7. Family comes in a variety of forms

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  8. A peaceful scene, John.

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  9. They will break our hearts. But the idea of being without is not even thinkable.

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  10. Lovely walk with the little ones. As you wrote I was sad that George was not there with you. Did any of the dogs sit near Georges grave like he did for Meg ?
    parsnip x

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  11. Dusk can be a beautiful time, especially in this heat.

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  12. Family indeed. What a perfect way to end the day.

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  13. It sounds a blissful end to a busy period/day, despite the pain of missing George.

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  14. I love your little family John

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  15. Sarah Jones6:40 am

    Gorgeous. The mentee needs a lesson in good manners xx

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  16. Your descriptions mean I am a voyeur ... you bring things to life. Lovely! The young mentee..tsk you are far more measured than I would have been.

    Jo in Auckland

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  17. They say dogs live in the moment but how are we to be really sure that Winnie, Mary and Albert weren't thinking of George as well?

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    1. I really do think dogs remember a lot more than we give them credit for. All my dogs respond , and look sad when I mention the names of their departed sisters.

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  18. I am appalled that a Samaritan trainee would even think about remarking on your physique. The reasons why people might become overweight are complicated and often psychological. Would this trainee also joke about someone's baldness, their height, their short-sightedness or their skin colour? I very much doubt that you yourself would note something unusual about the trainee's appearance and then joke about it. That would be very disrespectful. Please feel free to use this comment when you try to educate that trainee... though I fear that some thoughtless attitudes are so deep-rooted you cannot eradicate them.

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    Replies
    1. … then give him a slap and sit on him for half an hour. It always works for me.

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    2. Anonymous1:36 pm

      Oh... I was thinking how cheeky of the newbie to call you skinny...

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  19. I was also shocked to read that a trainee would remark on anyone's weight. How is he going to respond to someone that phones to talk about this type of thing. Hopefully it was a remark made out of 'nerves' and not a more forceful deep held opinion or discriminatory idea.

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  20. We never hear, " Wow, you are very thin, you are underweight " so why do people feel they have licence to say " fat, overweight "
    Personally a bit of weight means cuddly, who wants to hug a bag of bones and feel like they will break in two ?

    Stillness is good

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  21. Nothing better then taking in Life with unconditional loves at your side, John.

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  22. i'm in tears - your words got me again. There are many loved ones missing - but hang tight to those still with us.

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  23. Ugh. Mentioning people’s weight (over, under) is just so... rude? Unless I ask someone if they think my butt is too big, why volunteer? And at work? Never heard of that.
    And you painted a very sweet scene. The doggies are way too cute.
    XoXo

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  24. A few people appear to enjoy making others feel bad about themselves. When I was a kid/teenager I was regularly called 'skinny beanpole'. It hurt and made me feel terrible about myself and I became very self-conscious. Some people for whatever reason take enjoyment at making others feel bad.

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  25. Restful village scene - long may it remain that way.x

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  26. That's a lovely description of a peaceful summer evening.
    xoxox

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  27. Having a peek into Wales! thank you.

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  28. Beautiful summer evening to absorb and relive as needed.

    As for the new recruit wonder if he/she will last long as a Samaritan with comments like that??

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  29. There is nothing like spending time with your animals.

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  30. What a golden moment that sounds.

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  31. Your book really is writing itself. This is beautiful.

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  32. Lovely way to end the day and I agree with Lori.

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  33. You paint such beautiful pictures.

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  34. شركه الصفرات من اضمن الشركات بالرياض على الاطلاق من حيث العماله وادوات واجهزه التنظيف ومواد العزل وادوات كشف التسريبات تمتلك الشركه افض انواع المنظفات المستورده شركه الصفرات فى خدمتك وخدمه اسرتك فى اى
    .وقت كل ما عليك هو التواصل مع مندوبنا عبر الارقام الموضحه سيصك فريق العمل المتخصص بافضل المعدات لأداء الخدمه المطلوبه
    شركة الصفرات لتنظيف المنازل بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لعزل الاسطح بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لتنظيف المجالس بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لتنظيف السجاد بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لنقل الاثاث بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لمكافحة الحشرات بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لكشف التسربات بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لتنظيف المسابح بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لتنظيف الخزانات بالرياض
    شركة الصفرات لتسليك المجاري بالرياض

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes