Understanding yet again please

Oh Annie, I have only just found this thread and your post. I wish there was something I could say to ease your pain, but I know there is nothing. I just hope that as you posted this a couple of weeks ago, that maybe you are feeling a little more settled now.
I can only offer sympathy and love from here on the south coast to you in Wales.

A light note for you

When she started at the High School, age 11, I was called to the school by the head of lower school, he reluctantly had cause to reprimand Catherine but wanted me there so she would feel supported. Up the school I shot.

One of her Male cousins had started there the same year , he was a a severe asthmatic, all the cousins were very close.
In the play breaks a 13 year old boy was pushing my nephew around and causing him to gasp for air, Catherine saw this and thumped the 13 year old boy . She was hauled off to the head , the 13 year old was crying claiming Catherine had attacked him. She and I went into the heads study, he gently explained bullying was not allowed , she was most indignant when he asked her would she like to apologise and said ‘ I didn’t bully him , I hit him because he was hitting my cousin and he can’t breath properly and I did ask him to stop hitting my cousin before I hit him and I did say please’

When she was 13, walking home from school she saw a man kicking his cat, the cat was distressed, when the man went indoors she went into the garden and took the cat, brought it home. Begged me not to take the cat back , she was really upset, so I admit I took the cat to the cat rescue and said we had found it, they checked the cat , said it was malnourished and a leg was injured , it was found a new home .

This was life with Catherine

Just like her Mummy your darling daughter Catherine, x

Thinking of you today Annie. Lovely to read of your cherished memories with Catherine. So precious. X

Hello annie, it’s a privilege to hear these snippets of Catherines life. I’m smiling thinking of her and the brave, caring person she was. Sending love to you at this very sad time. Chin up. You’re doing well.

Oh what lovely memories of your beloved girl. I hope these beautiful memories bring you a little smile as you picture your lovely girl and remember her kindness and love.

Just a thought Annie - have you tried writing all these lovely precious memories into a journal with pictures of Catherine at the ages they took place. It would be lovely for her children to remember their mum (and grandma) from those days. My FIL started writing his memoirs when MIL had passed away and it was fascinating to read of his memories as a child.

My mum started a book for her grandchildren, hand written, about her childhood and what life was like then. She took it up to the time she got married. She then passed it to me to continue with my life. I’ve done it on the computer as typing is easier for me than writing and I’m afraid I’ve yet to transcribe it into the book. It’s amazing how life has changed in what seems like quite a short time. I think you said you were writing memories of Catherine’s childhood but do include a bit about what was going on in the world and what your living conditions and attitudes were like. It’s fascinating how things have changed.

What a lovely, feisty girl Catherine must have been. It’s good to read these little insights into your lives in happier times. Do share any more little snippets as they occur to you. X

She sounds as though she was a young lady of principle from the start annie - I am sure she got this from you.

Thank you x

I will share this, it could be anyone’s child or grandchild and for me puts St Paul in his place ‘when I was a child I thought like a child etc.’ And with Christmas coming nearer

The first Christmas after my husband died Catherine was nearly 8, we decided to build a new crib, I gave my girls all the choices for the crib.

Mary,Joseph and the baby were made from welsh green slate, the donkey , green and red tartan from Scotland and taller than Joseph ! The shepherds and 3 wise men made from clothes pegs, straw from the pet shop and the animals , sheep, a cat, a dog, a cow and a pig! A tinsel star stuck on the roof.

The curate from the Cathedral came to the house to bless the crib. He did say ‘ I have never seen a crib like this one !
then very kindly said ‘ I think you should remove the pig, a pig wouldn’t have been in the stable and explained why.

Catherine said ‘ Noah saved all the animals didn’t he? So he must have saved pigs ‘

The curate whispered to me ‘ I have no answer to that ‘ and blessed the crib ?

What a sensible child, Annie, as Willow said, you may think about writing her life story, it would perhaps help you and I’m sure many others in getting to know your darling Catherine xx

Thinking of you and your Catherine Annie

Thinking of you

Annie, your Catherine sounds like a lovely person. What a joy she must have been.

I enjoyed that last story annie. Good for Catherine!

I think writing some chapters about Catherine's life sounds like a lovely idea, if you feel able to do so Anniebach - even if just to preserve them for future generations

Thank you all so much x

For a year I have spoken of my darling daughters mental illness, self medicating, the distress to the family . Now I have talked of my Catherine , her love of life, her caring nature . I said a year ago she was my joy, my tears, my world, you have allowed me to speak of ‘my joy’ x

And it is so lovely to hear Annie - the real person behind the illness.

Please share more of your Catherine as you feel you want to annie, it’s good to get to know her. A hug for you. You’re very brave.

Thank you for sharing Anniex

Catherine is indeed a lovely name annie

I hope you don't mind me saying that you shine an eternal light onto the life of Catherine through the warm and joyful stories of a mother and her daughter.

Is there any chance you could reach out to your sisters Annie, send a card?

No batty, two years has passed, one sister is recovering from a heart triple bypass, i am to fearful to contact her. I have tried with the youngest, she replied she felt very guilty and had to live it, the third ? too vengeful , always has been , it was her son who told the lies so useless me telling her he lied , she would be furious with me. They haven’t spoken to our brother for 22 years . Best to leave well alone.

Love shines a light Anniebach