The most wonderful person I've ever known has suddenly died, Thursday night Australian time. He was kind, generous with a great outgoing personality. I am going to miss my beloved and much loved by all partner Ray for all of 44 years so terribly.
Family and friends will flock here tomorrow, Saturday. Today, I just wanted to be alone. I'm in a daze and shocked, tired after phone calls to England overnight and lack of sleep, local calls and messages today. I've just read the most beautiful letter he wrote to me enclosed in an envelope with his will. I wasn't looking at his will but he had told me to look there if the worst happened, and now it has.
I'll return to the wold of blog soon. To write is therapeutic for me. In advance, thanks for your the kind words and sentiments you will undoubtedly offer.
.jpg)
.jpg)
I am not surprised that a man so loving, kind and thoughtful would have left you a letter. I am greatly saddened by your loss. Heartened that he left you without suffering a long and lingering death. I will always remember him as a shining star with a twinkle in his eye and a good sense of humour. All my love.
ReplyDeleteOh Andrew. What a shock. I am so very, very sorry, especially as it appeared to have been entirely unexpected. I am thinking of you and sending an affectionate hug through the Blogosphere xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. Such a wonderful partner. Take the time you need. We'll be here for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible shock, Andrew. I am so very sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Take time. Take care. x
ReplyDeleteOh Andrew, that is such sad news. Not sure what to say except he loved you - that you can be sure of.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Cathy xx
So sorry for your loss; really no words other than you are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAndrew hugs. Is the funeral in Melbourne? You may take weeks and months before you feel normal again, and even then it will be the first time in 44 years that you will have to make decisions alone.
ReplyDeleteMy older son passed away a fortnight ago and I don't even want to go out for coffee :(
Oh Hels. I am so sorry. How terrible for you. For a mother to lose a son or daughter must be horrendous, to say the least. Go out with friends for coffee. You can cry in front of them if it happens.
DeleteOh, Hels, how awful for you. I am so sorry.
DeleteHow heartbreaking Hels. Hugs.
DeleteMy condolences to you Hels.
DeleteSo sorry to hear this Hels.
DeleteThank you Andrew, jabblog and River. He was 51, fit and handsome. And I don't want to get out of bed.
DeleteOh, these losses are heartbreaking. Be well, all.
DeleteHugs from afar, so sad for your loss. Take time and take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteWords fail
ReplyDeleteAll I can do is send you love. One day I will get to give you the hug.
Oh, Andrew, I am so sorry. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteWhat??? Oh no Andrew. I am shocked and horrified and sad for you. I can't imagine what you are going through. Love from Oregon.
ReplyDeleteOh Andrew. This is shocking. Half a world away, I gasped out loud. I am so very sorry. Be kind with yourself. Take your time. The world can wait.
ReplyDeleteThat was Debby.
DeleteDear Andrew - so sad. I am so sorry for your loss. Try to take care of yourself as best as you can. Hugs, Pat.
ReplyDeleteOh Andrew. My heart aches with and for you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read of this news. This must be such a terrible moment... 44 years is a long time. I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteWishing you love and light. Ray was such an integral character in your blog. Your readers will miss his presence. Take care.
ReplyDeleteDear Andrew I was so terribly upset to read this. My heart breaks for you. 44 years! What an incredible gift. And with you right to the end. Big big love.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
I am so sorry to read your devastating news Andrew. I have read your blog for several years and your mutual love and strong relationship has always been apparent. Sending you very sincere condolences from across the Tasman.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this news Andrew. You were blessed with a wonderful partner in Ray for 44 years, enjoy the memorise you both made together.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs Allan. Xx
Oh no!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I'm so very sorry. What a dreadful loss and such a shock!
Sending you all the love
Oh, Andrew, I am in shock and heartbroken for you. I had tears in my eyes as I read this to John. We both send you big hugs.
ReplyDeleteAll those memories you made together in 44 years! I am not surprised you are exhausted. Please take care of yourself.
Jackie
Stalker
ReplyDeleteAndrew
My heartfelt love to you♥️🙏
Oh my goodness me Andrew, I am so very sorry to read this ever so sad news, oh dear me what a great shock. Thinking of you especially at this so sad time. May he rest in peace with love.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear this bad news, Andrew. I remember him when we met for a coffee on Dorcas Street, such a friendly guy. May he rest in peace and for you: stay OK, it will need time. Big hug.
ReplyDeleteWhat? WHAT?? R died?? oh I am so sorry Andrew, you won't mind if I shed a few tears?
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this, I only know of you both through your blog. Marie, Melbourne
ReplyDeleteWhat sad news Andrew. Stay strong and look for support in your family.
ReplyDeleteOh, man, Andrew, I am so sorry. R played such a major role on your blog, and of course in your life. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awful shock. I am thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat Tasker said, and Thelma.
DeleteThinking of you, Andrew. Be kind & gentle to yourself.
ReplyDeleteAndrew at my writing workshop today, this is one of the pieces we studied (for multiple reasons) and I thought of you and thought to pass it on to you if you wish to read it perhaps?
ReplyDeleteStop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
W H Auden
Much love
XO
WWW
I'm so sorry for your loss. WH Auden said it well.
ReplyDeleteDear Andrew, I am visiting from Elephant Child's blog and was very sorry to learn of your loss. We don't know each other but I wanted you to know my thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteCondolences from a stranger who hopes a grain more sympathy helps alleviate the pain even a tiny bit…
ReplyDeleteDear Andrew, such sad news. Grief is exhausting. Take care.
ReplyDeleteDearest Andrew. Pants here. I'm so, so sorry. How the world will miss our dear Ray. Sending you love.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Andrew. I know how devastating this is. You take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteSo sad for you, my heart weeps for you.
ReplyDeleteam so sorry to hear, just awful, words fail. Take care Andrew
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I am so, so sorry. With you in spirit as you travel this new road.
ReplyDeleteSincere condolences, Andrew. Forty-four years — fantastic. Bon courage.
ReplyDeleteI think that was me commenting above. I thought the comment had just disappeared. We don't know each other well but I have always enjoyed your posts and comments. Ken (www.ckenb.blogspot.com).
DeleteThat was me commenting above. I don't know why it was anonymous. I thought the comment had just vanished. I've always enjoyed your posts and comments. I'm so sorry for the loss of Ray. Walt and I have been together for 41 years now.
DeleteAndrew, I don't know you and your beloved Ray but my heart goes out to you all the same. To lose the love of one's life is perhaps the most traumatic event in one's life. That loss will forever change you. This is the price of true love. Know that you are not alone. Please feel free to reach out for help to me and my friends who have suffered our own losses. You can send me your phone number to me at my e-mail address ronaldtipton@gmail.com. We can arrange a Zoom call. You're fourteen hours ahead of me.
ReplyDeleteRon
Retiredindelaware.blogspot.com
Andrew, I don't know if you received my previous comment so I'll try again. I don't know you or your partner Ray but please accept my condolences on your loss. Losing one's partner is perhaps the hardest thing to do in life. Please feel free to contact me so we can arrange a Zoom call if you wish to talk. I lost my partner/husband of fifty-nine years in February. This is hard. Talking will help.
ReplyDeleteRon of Retired in Delaware