It has been a difficult time here for my family.
We got the call at 3 am last Saturday, to say my dear Mother-in-law was in hospital and we needed to make the 8 hour journey down to see her.
It was lovely to spend time with her, to hold her hand and stroke her forehead.
Sadly she passed away on Monday morning at the age of 87.
She was a very beautiful lady and we are going to miss her very much. There were five boys in the family, so must have been a very lively and busy household growing up
This photo was taken when she was 19 years old and not long before her wedding day.
On our road trip driving down, we stopped the car a few times to take some photos so will share them with you.
The cherry blossom trees were at their best and loved seeing the sweet pink blossom everywhere. Cambridge is a gorgeous little town, with wonderful gardens and I always enjoy passing through here
We drove through the Tongariro National Park, along the Desert Road. The white snow capped mountains Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, set against the beautiful blue sky is always a gorgeous sight
The magnolia tree was blooming behind the fence, where the family lived in this lovely old house in Bulls.
You get quite a shock seeing a full size life-like bull sculpture, coming out from the alley steering right at you ... so glad that it is not a real one
Taihape is the gumboot capital of the world and here you can see the gigantic corrugated iron gumboot.
Every year, they celebrate 'Gumboot Day' in this little town on the Tuesday following Easter. Contestants chuck a men's size 8 gumboot as far as they can in the hope of setting the Gumboot toss world record
Friends brought around this beautiful bouquet of flowers and lovely to have their love and support
I have had little time for the blog and there is much to do, as we will be going back down to the funeral.
Hope that you are having a lovely weekend
hugs
Carolyn
Oh, my dear Carolyn, I send my heartfelt condolences. Such a bittersweet journey. She's so lovely. Sending my regards to you and your family at this difficult time. Hugs xx Karen
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Karen and appreciate your very kind words.
Deletehugs
Carolyn
Hello,Karen
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. She is a beautiful lady!
May her soul rest in peace.
Tomoko
Dear Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteYour mother-in-law looked such a beautiful 19 year old on the threashold of her life, and I am sad for you and your family that you have lost her.
It is good that you were able to get there to be with her, and I am sure that when you think about her in the future you will always associate her with the pretty spring blossom flowering just now.
Dear Carolyn. I'm so sorry to hear this news. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Linda xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss my friend. I'll keep your family in my prayers. My Mother is this same age. Sweet hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, dear Carolyn. It's good that you and your husband were able to spend some time with your mother-in-law during her last days. She was a beautiful woman and had such a positive appearance. Wishing you and your family all the best during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
Julia
Dear Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteI`m so sorry for you all.
It was lovely you were able to go for a final visit, to say goodbye .
The tour there, was filled with gorgeous moments of beauty, thank you for showing.
Take care , and see you .
Hugs , Dorthe
Dear Carolyn, So sorry to read of the passing of your mother in law. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful in her 19th year old picture. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos from your trip along the way to see her too. So glad you could spend time with her in the end. Precious memories for the future.
Sending love and prayers your way in the days ahead.
xo
Dear Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of your Mother-in-law's passing. What a beautiful young woman she was. At any age it is always such a loss to lose a family member. I will keep you in and your family in my prayers.
blessings,
Penny
Dear Carolyn, I was so sorry to hear about your sad news about your mother in law. My thoughts are with you and your family. I'm glad you were able to be with her at the end. Take care in the difficult days ahead. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteOh no Carolyn...so sad news.....sorry for your lost....it is so hard time for you and specially for your husband his dear mom....wishing you all you need for the comming days...love love love Ria ❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry dear Carolyn for you and your husband's loss. She was a beautiful woman and I'm sure she leaves a huge hole in your lives with her loss.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing the wonderful pics of your drive, and yes, that bull would scare me right out of my shoes!!!!
sending warm hugs and love your way....
My dearest friend Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss and I send my deepest symnpahtie to all of your family!
Good, you could spend last lovely hours with her!
I will think of oyu in those sad and hard days!
The photos are so lovely, she must hav been such a nice person!
All best wishes for you, my dear friend,m
Love and hugs and blessings, Claudia xo
I am very sorry for your loss love hugs and prayers and sympathy
ReplyDeleteLove Jeanne
Hello Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Big hug
Giac
I`m so sorry. She was a very beautiful lady.
ReplyDeleteSending you a warm hug from here
I'm so sorry for Your loss. Sending You a big hug
ReplyDeleteHugs Alessandra
I am so sorry for your loss, Carolyn. A big hug.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Dearest Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to read this sad news here. We have been out of town, the day you wrote your post so I need to catch up on a lot, as we again just got home from another 2-night trip.
It looks like we have to see each other through such tragic times of our life.
Yes, we know that none of our loved ones will live forever but it always comes as a thief in the night. So unexpected and we never are ready for it...
Wishing you both the strength for going through this difficult time. At least you could reach her in an 8-hour trip; I've not been that lucky due to the vast distance to go see my Mom.
Sincerest condoleances and sending you prayers.
Mariette
Thank you so much dear Carolyn, for taking time to visit and leave such kind words.
ReplyDeleteI am keeping you in my prayers.
blessings,
Penny
Sorry for your loss, darling. This is a lovely tribute.
ReplyDeletexoxox,
CC
So sorry for your loss. Hope you all are doing okay.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I'm so sorry to hear that your mother-in-law passed away. This is such a cute picture of her at 19. When I heard she had five boys, I smiled, as my mother-in-law had 10 kids with 7 boys running all around. The picture of the snow capped mountains is beautiful, and those magnolia trees are a stunning color. What a charming picture of the family's old house in the background. I've never heard of the Gumboot toss before. There will be lots of memories for you as you travel back for the funeral on that eight hour journey. Be safe, my friend.
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you.
All the best Jan