Wednesday 1 February 2012

Sad...

Had one of those funny mornings when I couldn't settle to anything.  I had lots of things lined up to do as it's The Maltings Market on Saturday and I am wanting to have quite a few new things on my stall, but just couldn't get started.  Maybe it's the cold, which seems to have seeped into every nook and cranny of the house, even my workroom, which is generally warm and toasty.  Maybe it is the fact that my back has been grumbling away at me.  Or maybe it was having too many ideas and not knowing where to start.

Then my Mum phoned to tell me that a very dear family friend had died late last night and it was almost as if I'd already known.

Sheila was a very special lady.  She'd not had the easiest of lives, having been struck down with polio as a  small child, which resulted in her being in hospital for most of her childhood, separated from her family.  She had to wear heavy callipers and really struggled with mobility, yet she worked most of her adult life, even when her thoughtless employers moved her office up a flight of stairs!  When she retired she adventurously went off travelling round Europe - she didn't let her disabilities stop her from grabbing life.

My family got to know Sheila about twenty years ago when my Mum began taking communion to her as she was not easily able to get to church.  She quickly became a regular visitor at my parents' home, especially in the summer for barbecues as she could get into their lovely garden more easily than the house, which necessitated the use of portable ramps for her wheelchair.  Most Christmases she was with us too.  She came up with a lovely idea in that each Christmas she would give each of us a cheque to send to our favourite charity.  You never heard her grumble about her own difficulties - she thought of others instead.  

It was Sheila who gave me the fantastic sewing machine cabinet I have in the attic room when she found she couldn't get her super-duper electric wheelchair under it.  And it was Sheila who was my rescuing angel last year when my sewing machine packed up.  Unable to use her lovely Husqvarna machine any more, she generously gave it (and all her other sewing paraphernalia) to me, something I have been grateful for ever since.  

Sheila had been increasingly unwell since before Christmas.  I last saw her on Christmas Day when I went with my Mum, sister and daughter, to take her a Christmas dinner and some small presents.  Even though her illness was making everything that was already a struggle for her even harder, she was still in remarkably good spirits.  

She told my Mum the day before yesterday that she was 'ready to go' so I have to be glad for her, released from her suffering.  But I will  miss her, and will think of her often, especially when sewing.  
Rest in peace, Sheila.

12 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear of your loss Alix. What a lovely eulogy you've written for Sheila and such lovely memories x

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  2. I'm so sorry for your loss Alix,words are just so hard at times like these,but at least you have such lovely memories.Thinking of you and your family at this sad time XX Manda XX

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  3. Alix , I'm so sorry, Sheila sounded like a lovely person. I think you will often think of her when you sit and sew,
    sending you a hug
    Love Sophie xx

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  4. What a kind and determined lady, Sheila will be a huge loss to your family. Thinking of you at this sad time.

    xx

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  5. Such a touching story of a kind and unselfish woman. Good to have all these beatiful memories of her.

    All my thoughts go to her friends and family.

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  6. how wonderful for Sheila that she felt ready to go- what more could anyone wish for?
    I'm so sorry for your sadness and that you'll miss her, but lovely that she'll always live on in your heart especially as you sew. Couldn't be a better epitaph.
    xx

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  7. I'm so sorry; thinking of you at this time xx

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  8. Oh Alix, I'm so sorry for your loss.
    What a wonderful lady she was.
    my thoughts are with you
    xx

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  9. A hearfelt post saying goodbye to a very special lady. So sorry to hear your sad news.

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  10. Thank you all for your kind comments - I'm glad I managed to get over how special Sheila was.
    x

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  11. Sounds like a lovely lady and some nice memories.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  12. She sounds like a really lovely person who was dear to all of your family as I am sure you were to her. What a pleasure it will be to remember her when sewing on the machine that she gifted to you. God bless X

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