h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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That says it all, says so much.

Oh Jez.




az

Weekend coming up . . . how are you doing?


az

Got your email.

Will reply a bit later . . . time to go out and enjoy the sunshine.


az

Today I went to see mum, knowing something was wrong.

She was in her chair in the lounge. Bent over double and her head touching her knees. I couldn't straighten her up, even though she wanted a drink and couldn't reach it or hold it or get it to her mouth.

Eventually, I managed to hold her a little with one hand while holding the drink and the straw to her mouth with the other. She couldn't drink it, though, because of the angle she was hunched at...

When I put the drink down she had a small fit, another stroke, and I lost her even more.

I couldn't understand her at all after that, but before, she spoke to me about her auntie Louie, who had been a wonderful cook. She said, she had dreamt of her, and it had been real...

She told how nice the food had been that Louie had cooked for her.

Jez

Jez

I am sorry to hear about your mother's latest slide. We are still here with you. You can always contact me through the Sanctuary if you need to draw upon my strength.

I maybe a little distracted over the coming week though. A dear friend has just been diagnosed with bowel cancer and I will be tending to him, giving him strength before his operation next week.

Nobody ever told me being a priest could take so much.

Blessings,
Matholwch /|\

Oh Jez.

I was thinking about you this morning.

I wish I knew what to say.

love,
az

hi Jez,

Thanks for your support today in the Sanctuary.

How are things going with you?

Math, sorry to hear about your friend - I'm sure you will be a welcome source of strength and caring for him.

Hmmm, looks like hugs all round, basically . . .



az

Hi Azahar

My friend is presently still on the operating table so the prayer vigil is still in progress. At least 80 people are taking part from places as far apart as Melbourne and Fort William, he means that much to us all.

I will let you know how it goes.

Blessings,
Matholwch /|\

She hasn't known who I am for a week or so, now.

--

Math - how did it go?

Jez

Hi Jez

Apparently he went through surgery well. So much so he was sitting up in bed in the High Dependancy Unit by late afternoon.

We now have to wait for the result of the tests on the material they removed, but it is looking good.

I can't think of a better time to have surgery though, during a waxing moon in the run-up to the Spring Equinox.

Blessings,
Matholwch /|\

How is your friend now, Math?


Jez, how are you doing?

az

Hi Az and Jez

To the astonishment of the Consultant and HDU nurses he walked out of the Hospital after just five days. He now has twelve weeks of recovery and Chemo to go through, but it is looking very good.

I knew he'd be all right when I saw Dianecht in the hospital.

The druid community has now swung into action with people visiting to help his wife with the kids, the house etc. Anything to ease her burden so she can concentrate on him.

How is your mother Jez?

Blessings upon her,
Matholwch /|\

May the daughter of Loki take her home soon.

Please.

Jez

I just said to Noggin yesterday that I was wondering how things were with you and your mum. You are in our thoughts and we send our love. And I also hope she can go home soon . . .

az

My mum is ninety today. She was born in 1915, just after the Great War.

My sister refused to come with me this evening. She said it was too upsetting. So I was there on my own with her. And she knew me, and we shared Maltesers and mini Jaffa cakes.

We talked a little. She was quite together, for around three-quarters of an hour. Then she slept.

I wonder if this is the last time I will find her 'present'. It has been weeks since she was 'there' with me.

Jez

That was a nice birthday present she gave you - being 'present' with you for awhile.

How are you holding up, Jez?



az

az

Thank you , and Noggin, for your thoughts. I know I am cherished by those some would call strangers, and I call friends, and I am made whole by the strength of the people who love me. Again, my thanks.


I am held tight in the arms of Thor, with Loki's flames coursing through my veins when I need to deal with the world.


Loki's daughter, young, fiery and frozen, has given me the immense gift of the knowledge of the truth of death. For it is neither an end nor a beginning, but simply a ford to be crossed in a journey, and the threads of Wyrd wind around it but do not break.


I just wish it could be over. And maybe, now that she has reached this milestone in life, she will let go.


Jez

Still hanging in there, but barely.

She has eaten very little for the last week. She is refusing food when she is awake. Her body sending the little she eats straight through and she has been asleep every time I have been to see her since her birthday.

On Tuesday it would have been my father's eighty-eighth birthday.

May the daughter of Loki take her home to him, as she sleeps...

Jez

Are you prepared for this? Is there anything my community or yours can do to help you?

Blessings,
Matholwch /|\

Today I held her hand and talked her to the gateway. I told her it was all right to let go. I showed her the ones who wait. I sang the path to her, and told her we on this side were ready, although we would weep for our loss, and that she should go, now. Her body is a shell, a worn suit of clothes ready for recycling. Then I let go of her hand and let her reach, not for me, but for them, their guiding strength.

The gate, as she sees it, is an archway covered in roses within a beechwood, open and welcoming, There are birds and birdsong, and there is a seat, just outside.

She is sitting on that seat, waiting for the last beat to falter, the last fall of the breath to leave her free to walk through to her friends and her kindred.

In peace and love.

Jez