It didn't come home but I did

 BigA was away for the weekend and because the football did not come home (I insisted we go to a pub to watch it, M was much more enthusiastic than A) M and I came home and I was forced to do some of my course work because I couldn't turn the TV on. And happily submitted the next bit. 

On Monday we all set off for a trip to my other home, my childhood one. It's always full of memories, mostly happy ones. It still feels a bit strange knowing my dad won't be there. While there I got the small suitcase I had left in mum's loft, it's full of letters, cards and keepsakes. Looking through this stuff was fun. Old diaries and love letters, a few old pictures and every thank you card from my first school. A and M joined in looking at some of it and my mum got down her old jewelry boxes telling the girls all the stories that went with each piece. Very special. 

The girls made the most of being best the sea, going in it every day. I got to see Jessie but not the rest of her family. I saw my sister a couple of times, not her other 2 though. Lonely to have a good hug or two. 

Some really lovely food and lots of good chats with my mum I had a very relaxing time. 

Wednesday I also got to pay my respects at the funeral of a really kind, genuine and caring woman, Susie. I remember her very fondly, she was influential in my religious journey when I was very much happy to be part of the church. I was, very keen back then, keen to find purpose and reason in life. I know that she personally gave a good amount of money to fund the 2 trips I took to Rome and then Canada. Youth events for the church. I feel slightly bad that it was one of these trips that confirmed my doubt about the lack of feminist thinking! Yes it took that long. It was my first in person funeral for a while and it was in the church I sat in every week for most of my young life and the one I sat in for my brother's funeral. Although not for Conrad's, for most masses, we, me and my mum and sister sit in one of Jesus' arms, the choir in the one opposite. That's where Susie would sit, having almost always mounted to my mother, "I've got my knickers on" you'll have to ask mum to explain that one! 

It remains a place of comfort and contemplation. A place I feel I belong, so many familiar faces, all older now but no less loving and I got many big smiles, even on a sad day. Susie would have been pleased I was there, she was truly a woman of faith and deep love. 

We headed back that evening after another enjoyable afternoon in the sun and meal and then home to our Tottenham one. Ready for the results day. The girls were understandably a bit nervous. They both did well, extremely similar results and then they set off to register at sixth form. The next part of their lives laying out ahead of them. 

We've gotten a few more things out of the loft - there is still so much there, we could do with just getting it all out and giving loads of it to charity. But it's a big job and not one we have the energy or dedication to do. 

Not much left of the holiday left...