The Kindness of Strangers

 It won’t surprise you that I’ve been a bit stressed and sad recently
But I have been buoyed by kindnesses, messages and emails and concern which is touching
Today a watercolour of Winnie was delivered
I was just leaving the house to go for a diabetic eye test ( harrumph) 


And it truly made my day
Thank you Donna
Thank you all

67 comments:

  1. I'm a cat person, but that portrait would gladden anyone's heart. Donna is a talented artist and has captured Winnie perfectly. Pride of place on your wall, definitely. Diabetic eye screening is a pain, but glad you're getting it done. A necessary evil! xx

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    1. I was in and out quickly and was grateful to my sister in law who took me

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    2. I've been having diabetic eye tests for 25 years and they've long since become a necessary bore. Hope that yours will soon too.

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    3. Oh, and of course, such a fab picture of such a FABulous girl!

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  2. OMG that's soooo cute!
    Such a fantastic gift.

    Sending hugs....

    XOXO

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  3. Anonymous1:42 pm

    It's wonderful. I glanced over at the photo of Winnie on the right and was amazed at the likeness. What a wonderful gift. JanF

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  4. That is absolutely lovely. Get your point re diabetic eye tests, I'm waiting for this years'. Depends on who does it - last couple of years have been "Keep on keeping on, you're doing fine". Previous ones have been sponsored by the RNIB [nice touch!] and I have been assured I am a Bad Person. Jxx

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    1. I’ve been impressed on how well I’ve been screened

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  5. There is much kindness in the World, despite what we read about everywhere. It is wonderful to be on the receiving end.

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  6. A magnificent gift and what a tribute to Winnie!

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  7. Barbara Anne2:25 pm

    Donna managed to capture Winnie's heart and spirit perfectly and it arrived just when you needed it, too. What a talented and generous artist Donna is!
    Hope you're feeling better and your eye test results will be excellent.

    Hugs!

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  8. I think there's a lot more kindness than we realize but it often gets overshadowed, literally, by the darkness.
    That's a sweet beautiful gift!

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  9. Such a great portrait. May you smile every time you look at it.

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    1. You can feel the real Winnie in that face

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  10. Anonymous3:07 pm

    You are much loved and appreciated. Sue p

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  11. I well remember the Winnie posts.

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  12. Anonymous3:30 pm

    I think I too will start a blog stuffed full of death and self inflicted problems and see what rolls into the mailbox!

    Lee

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    1. Well, I should leave the comment above as the last comment so we now know from whom the hateful comments are coming . But, instead , I will point it out. You cannot delete comments that are left anonymously therefore it can not be deleted by the author who has now shown their name.
      I really was going to leave a comment about my new mission in life is to make everyone around me including myself happy.
      Dearest Lee, I do hope you have a good day and find something in your life to be happy about. It feels so much better .

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    2. Traveller4:16 pm

      I doubt very much that comment is from Lee of the NY straight talking potty mouth.

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    3. Anonymous5:09 pm

      It wasn’t me John, I don’t talk or write like that
      But boy am I near swearing !

      Lee

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    4. Anonymous5:48 pm

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    5. Very unhappy person with nothing better to do than leave mean comments on a stranger's blog. Very sad.

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    6. Anonymous6:46 pm

      Too fucking right pixie girl

      Lee ( THE ONE AND ONLY NEW YORK QUEEN)

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  13. There must be more than one Lee. This does not fit the usual comments from her at all, nor the fact that John has responded to her positively here. I saved that explanation of dying that he wrote in response to her question!

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    1. New York Lee messages me often , I know her well , and her emails are as entertaining as her comments are colourful ……

      Again syntax gives everyone away

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    2. Anonymous8:29 pm

      I’ve known Lee 15 years
      She is once seen
      Never forgotten

      Keith

      Xx

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  14. I see Traveller picked up on this, too!

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    1. Indeed, anon is angry, as well as stupid

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  15. Gardengoddess425:31 pm

    Is it strange that a hospice nurse writes about death and the dying?
    One of the reasons I come here is to see John’s sincere and thoughtful comments on this very subject.

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  16. What a beautiful gift!

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  17. I'm sorry you're feeling down John. It will pass but when you're going through it, it's hard to imagine. Sending hugs to you.

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  18. A beautiful and thoughtful gift.
    Not strangers, just friends you've yet to meet. Xx

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  19. Anonymous6:34 pm

    What a lovely gift ! Hope you feel better soonJohn and don’t rush back to work too soon as most nurses do ! Xx Bernie

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    1. I will be governed by the medical advice

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  20. A beautiful portrait of Winnie!

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  21. A lovely gift to remember her..it has definitely caught that Winnieness. ((hugs))

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  22. Sorry I don't have your new email address, so pasting here. To cheer you up and on an art-y note, auction catalogue , sale celebrating 100 years since birth of Art Deco, which i know you like. It's not Tik Tok, but maybe you ll enjoy. After your eyes refocus, I guess.
    xx
    https://catalogue.swanngalleries.com/auction-catalogs/ART-DECO-AT-100-WILLIAM-CROUSE-COLLECTION?saleno=2702&viewby=Lot_asc&utm_source=WNET&utm_medium=retargeting&utm_id=2702&utm_content=300x250&pg=1

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    Replies
    1. Oh it’s adorable !!!!
      Email me anytime
      jgsheffield@icloud.com

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  23. It's just so Winnie. A wonderful picture. x

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  24. Anonymous9:38 pm

    I enjoyed your posts about Dorothy. Gigi

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  25. My mother-in-law was called Winnie. The resemblance is spooky.

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  26. I know only too well how health problems can overwhelm and bring down your spirits. So sorry it's not a good time at the moment. Hopefully things will reset and settle and you will begin to feel more hopeful and happy.

    Kindness helps so much and that is such a sweet gift from Donna!

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  27. Yorkshire Liz8:18 am

    You must be doing something right to get bitched at yet again by poor sad Anonymous! The fact is this: the people who follow and comment on your blog are adults with their own individuality and a mature, intelligent and empathetic outlook on life. We love YOU for you, just as you are, with your realistic, human and humane take on the human condition, because you articulate reality and speaking for so many of us. The fact that whenever you deal with the hard facts of life we all have to face as part of just being is what triggers Anonymous, speaks for itself and says a great deal about her state of mind and fear of living a real genuine and open life. We may sympathize with the pit she has made of her life, but her pity party is no-one else's problem, least of all yours(and ours by connection.)
    On the other hand, Donna and a certain grumpy bulldog have a great talent and connection! A beautiful piece of art, with so much love and humour in both the picture and the backstory. Terrific!

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    1. Anonymous6:14 pm

      He really has you suckered big style

      Lee

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    2. Yorkshire Liz7:50 pm

      Well done me. Clearly I hit a nerve with a truth. You see, dear Anonymous - what you throw out at others does have a tendency to come back and slap you in the face. We call it karma. I hope facing it finally brings you some of the peace and tranquility, human acceptance and heartsease, you keep telling us you seek in everything but your words.

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  28. The water color of her Highness is beautiful! What a loving thing for your friend to create, just for you, John. Honestly, my friends are what make my life worth living. The personal kindnesses and love that they have shown me, in good times and bad, have given adult me the hope that little me never had.

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  29. What a beautiful gift. That sure is a keeper and will look nice on the wall with the perfect frame.

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  30. She's captured Winnie's side-eye to a tee and that look back in exasperation that she was so good at. A lovely piece of artwork for your cottage wall. :-)

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  31. My sincerest apologies to the real Lee.
    Please everyone enjoy your lives , enjoy the love. Love to the most real person I "know" John. We do all love you.

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  32. Jo in Auckland9:35 pm

    Donna has captured your Winnie to a tee. That certain look of haughtiness that made her the Princess she was. Fantastic likeness, it certainly deserves a special frame and place on your art wall, or maybe above your desk.

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  33. Anonymous1:32 pm

    What a wonderful gift, the painting and the skills of your friend.

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes