CARRICKDRIVE

Margaret my love – it is the most difficult week I can recall in my life as I watched you drift away.
It is 10yrs on 31st January that you passed into the arms of the Lord to look after you.

As I reflect on the 45+ years that we had together and bringing up our three boys to become model sons, their families and grand children. 

My reflections at this time of the year are mixed yes with sadness at loosing you but with joy at falling in love with you and writing so many letters to each other with you in Scotland and myself in Minworth, Warwickshire all blossomed from our first New Year in 1969.

Your first letter arrived dated 5th January (I only left on the 5th ) after the New Year whirlwind we had in Aviemore we wrote over 200 letters to each other over the years – so much written as we were not together again till Easter 1969.
Whow!.

Reflections

© David John Love

Published by Family Friend Poems March 2015 with permission of the Author.

Remember all those happy days, those times she called our own
In all those well-loved places where you now grieve alone.
And those small endearing gestures, which you thought you knew so well,
Are fading, as time passes, with her words, her kiss, her smell.

But then there is that moment, that time within the day,
When you feel she is beside you in that old familiar way.
But as you turn to see her smile or receive a tender touch,
There’s only a dark shadow of the one you loved so much.

And tears begin to fall in that hole of deep despair,
And memories overwhelm you – more than your heart can bear.
As you remember her gentle grace and her love so soft but strong,
Your heart will simply miss a beat as you miss her life, her song.

You want to rewind the clock and say how much you care;
You want to silence the talk that she’s not there to share.
But you smile and chat amiably to family and friends
And hope they do not notice your world is at an end.

But she knows that you will carry on because she told you true
That if she had to choose again, she would still choose you

David John Love. “Reflections.” Family Friend Poems, March 5, 2015. 

https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/reflections-4

Since Margret’s passing in Januuary 2016 a void was left for us all that loved her. Her laugh, her perceptive nature just knowing what to say. The way her life reflects still in the three boys Steven, Philip and Matthew. These words I found by just a simple question re my thoughts back to this day in 2016 and to the day in 1970 when we were married and began our life together for over 44 yrs.

Margaret
A vacant chair, a silent room, 
Where echoes dance, a haunting gloom. 
A heart that aches, a tear that falls, 
A love that lingers, through it all.

The laughter’s gone, the smile no more, 
A void so deep, a gaping door. 
In memories held, a bittersweet sting, 
The joy we shared, the love we’d bring.

The sun still shines, the world moves on, 
But in my heart, a song is gone. 
I search for you in every breeze, 
In whispered words, in rustling trees.

Though pain may linger, I will rise, 
With love as guide, beyond the skies. 
To cherish moments, hold them near, 
And carry on, with love so clear.

For in the loss, a strength is found, 
A bond that ties, where love is bound. 
And though you’re gone, your spirit stays, 
A guiding light, through darkest days.

I find it difficult to cope at times but the words reflect a  resilience to cope through cherished memories and the enduring power of love.

God bless you my love up there in heaven.
Michael

There are many thoughts going through my head just now. Recalling your BD 1969 and visiting you in the school 6th form room- all a bit sneaky never would happen today with security. 

We had been going out for six months since we met in Aviemore the previous New Year. We actually never met again until Easter 1969. There was a fair amount of postage spent, paper and many extended phone calls between 5 Mansionhouse and a certain red phone box in Minworth.

Just over a year or so later we were married in September 1970 in Shettleston New Church, Glasgow and went on to be married for 45+ years and have 3 wonderful boys to share our life together. 

I know as I think back to 1970 and the boys growing up and sharing their families with us it is a part of our life that was very special for us both. 

Sadly you are no longer with us but all the family and friends think of you so fondly a wonderful person to have known.

Thinking of you always Michael

This time in September each year beginning in 1970 when Margaret and I were married at Shettleston Parish Church. Loosing Margaret in January 2016 was a big loss to me and my three boys and their families. Words are difficult to articulate sometimes in how I recall that day in 1970 and the 45+ years we had as a family and my best friend.

I found this poem which really reflects my thoughts just now:-

The depths of sorrow we cannot tell;
Of the loss of one we loved so well;
And while she lies in peaceful sleep;
Her memory we shall always keep.

We know that she is happy;
In our Saviour’s home above;
Growing fairer as she lingers;
In the sunshine of His love.

Her loving face I hope to see again;
Though the days have passed away;
Sleep on, dear wife, and take thy rest;
They miss you most who loved you best.

We are sad within our memory;
Lonely are our hearts today;
For the one we loved so dearly;
Has forever been called away.

My lips cannot tell how I miss her;
My heart cannot tell what to say.
God alone knows how I miss her;
In a home that is lonesome today.

The pearly gates were opened;
A gentle voice said “Come”;
And with farewells unspoken;
She gently entered home.

Gone from the earth so swiftly;
Just like a flower in bloom;
So young, so fair, so loving;
Yet called away so soon.

We’ll meet her some glad morning;
Resting by waters fair;
She is waiting for our coming;
In the upper garden there.

You are resting my love but you are always in my thoughts, the boys and their families and all who knew you.

Michael XXXX

So much happened in 1969 for Margaret and I.

I left Glasgow for Minworth on January 3rd after my Holiday in Aviemore with John Burford and friends. 

Margaret and I seemed to keep the postage and paper retailers in business writing so many times a week till we met up at Easter 69. 

Margaret made her first trip south for my 21st in May. It was soon to be Margaret’s 18th at the end of June which I made a trip north to celebrate with her. 

That trip north in June 1969 after so many letters that year seemed to further bring us closer together as a couple. 

Much was to unfold in August when I finished my electrical apprenticeship and travelled north and got a job at Scotts working on the Glasgow Stow University (College back then) and starting night school studying electronics. 

As I reflect today on 1969 there are so many memories come to mind some very personal which sustain me in remembering Margaret’s personality and our love for each other despite of everything that was to unfold over the next 45 years.

Forever Michael.

This was the day in 2016 that we laid Margaret to rest. It was an emotional week following her death on the 31st January 2016. 

Many grateful thanks to our three boys Steven, Philip and Matthew, they got me thro, with the help of Yvonne, Jacqui and Fiona.

The church service was in the afternoon @ Sandyhills Church and as I reflected this week with a funeral in the church to that day in 2016 the thoughts came flooding back.

Just over a week ago I was nursing Margaret in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as best I could with a Burns Supper on the 25th and a meal on 26th but she then took a turn for the worst unbeknown to us at the time it was her time to go to the Lord. 

I am so grateful to all of Margaret’s family and my boys and their families with me during the week to follow with so much to do.

You can never prepare yourself for that time especially as we had two scares previously with issues, but Margaret pulled through each of them. Sometimes I wondered how she managed it with MS and each problem further making her dependent on others for her needs. 

Despite, all the problems that she had to deal with we managed some great holidays together till her final moments. 

Rest in peace Margaret

Deep are the memories
Precious they stay
No passing of time
Will take them away

 Thank you Margaret for everything.

How does one begin to rationalise the week of feeling to what would have been our fifty second wedding anniversary today. 

The death of our Queen has been a difficult period to process. Many of the images seen this last week have been so moving. 

I have given a lot of thought of this day 16 September for some time especially how I would I wanted to recall 16 September 1970. Even writing that day down brings back so many images of Margaret as she walked down the isle at Shettleston New church that day.

I would like to leave you with this very touching video which when you listen and reflect on the on words on screen illustrates my feelings today.

Video YouTube link
the only scars in heaven casting crowns lyrics

Always in my thoughts Margaret
Love Michael

Big announcement  at Brown and Wallace today.

Matthew has been promoted to salaried Partner at Brown and Wallace Quantity Surveyors in Glasgow. Matthew joined the firm straight from school grained his degree and promotion within the firm.

He secured a job with  Aecom working overseas in Oman responsible for two hotels being built. He returned to the UK and continued working for Aecom with many large projects under his wing.

Matthew has done very well building upon his experience in the industry and made many connections though his job.

I know for sure that there is someone looking down who would be so proud of his achievements.

New Years Day 1969 Margaret and I with a group of friends had made it back to Newtonmore Youth Hostel following bringing in the New Year in Aviemore. There was deep snow on the ground and the youth Hostel was not open till 06-30 it was bitterly cold in the car waiting for the hostel to open. I had only met Margaret 3 days previously and the next 5 days or so till I made my way back home to Minworth, Warwickshire seemed to go so quickly.

What was to follow for the next 45 years until Margaret’s death on 31 January 2016 was a journey that we both took openly, first immediately re locating to London , then to Farnborough Hampshire and finally back to Glasgow in 1974. We had three boys I am now dwarfed by them but I know that Margaret’s influence on them is so apparent, kindness, thoughtfulness and respect as they make it in the world.

This is my 5th Christmas and New Year without Margaret and was focused so much the other day when Ellis my youngest granddaughter had said before we left their house on the 28th December to release two balloons in memory of her Gran’s. It was quite an emotional moment as we watched the balloons fly high into the night sky finally seeming to join up making their way into the heavens.

2022 who knows masks may still be visible for sometime but lets hope we move on and can once again meet our families, rekindle relationships much more than we have done in the last two years.