This has been a wonderful weekend for us. I can’t remember when we last had one!
It was my birthday and Leaf’s brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Carole, came to stay. During and since the lockdown, Leaf has been pretty low and needed a big uplift to help make up for the weeks of ‘social distancing’ and I don’t mean the 2 metre rule or whatever it is. The weeks of not being able to welcome people to our home and being unable to touch anybody, have been horrid. I can’t imagine anything more divisive and destructive.
Roger and Carole arrived yesterday and we got stuck into some controversial talk over a cuppa and cake. Opinions on the current state of our world ping-ponged back and forth across the table. I was reminded, yet again, how many different angles there are on the upheaval we’re being subjected to and how many theories there are about what might happen in the months and years to come.
That over with, we pooled our dinner dish resources and got stuck into a good meal. The alcohol flowed gently, just enough to get us pleasantly tipsy. After that it was hilarity for at least a couple of hours and Leaf was visibly revitalised, even chipping in some witticisms here and there. Everyone was happy, it was almost like it used to be. Yes, the old Leaf can resurface.
This lovely, light mood continued through late breakfast and lunch today ending with yummy puddings and champagne. Perfect!
On the downside I was reminded how inadequate I am. How he needs a variety of human stimuli to keep him from sinking into misery. How lovely it would be to have other company on a much more regular basis; a further reason for me to finish getting the gite ready for that ‘very special person’ to come and live with us. They will need to be tuned into our frequency and, as much as possible, like-minded, of course.
As we head for the longest day of the year, it’s a good time to take stock of all that’s happened and through prayer, meditation and positive changes to our way of life, become less ego-driven and re-connect with others.
We need to come together to find the courage to face whatever the future holds with our eyes open and our hearts resolute.
doodahtwo.home.blog 
hi, thats really great to have had such a positive weekend and some sense of normality i guess. With the easing of restrictions you will be able to socialise more and get about and no doubt Leaf will benefit hugely as I am sure you will too Sue. So easy to get bogged down with the negatives of life. Lets hope the year will continue on a happier vein. L x
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Thanks Lizziekins, Indeed, it really was. I will try and keep our ‘calendar’ ticking over nicely – not too much, but enough variety to help Leaf through the days – and me too. xx
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So glad you had a nice time with fambo, you are so right about revitalising Leafs daily routine, its the key that unlocks the mind however hard it is to do it daily, but don’t give up, lovely smiley pics, ‘I feel good now’ as james brown would sing ha, all the best, paul
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Thanks Paul. How are you doing? Are you still locked-down? Yes, I remember that song. Take care, Love, xx
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Hello Sue
I’m so pleased to hear that you have had a wonderful weekend and that it has boosted both you and Leaf. I think things are moving towards a form of normality and I hope that some good will come out of what has been a very difficult time for many.
I wish you good luck with your search for the right person to live in your gite and help with Leaf’s care.
Lots of love,
Adrienne xxx
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Yes, it has boosted our spirits, which were flagging. I hope you’re right about starting up again but would like to see, over the months, that some new and inventive initiatives have popped up.
The search for Mr or Mrs Right should be interesting. I am cautiously optimistic.
Hope the weather hasn’t kept people away from the garden and hope you had a lovely birthday! xx
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Sue.
So glad to hear about finally socially engaging and Leaf been uplifted.
We consistently have Zoom
Dinners and have dialogue with family and friends.
Summer months will help
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hi Kirpal. Leaf isn’t up to zooming, he gets confused. Sounds good with you. Bon courage. x
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So good to hear you’ve had such a lovely time xxxxxx
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Thanks Gin. It was over all too quickly though. xxxx
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Hi sue.
Glad to hear you had some light relief.
When Richard was at home I used to have a couple of carers who would look after him for a couple of hours singing and dancing which really helped for the moment.
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Hello Barbara, Thank you. The weekend lightened our souls and gave me extra encouragement to get on with filling our lives (not too full though!) with those who understand and genuinely want to help. Sadly we were denied carers during the lockdown but now they are back and there is plenty they can do with Leaf to give him a break from me – and me from him. We love to listen to music and often have a dance round the living room, the kitchen’s too small! x
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What a lovely image Sue, it’s extraordinary how the company of people you know and trust can bring a whole new dimension of comfort and completeness, like spring-cleaning the soul. All love, xxk
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Hi Kippy, Good to hear from you. Yes, a great pic from Montcuq days which I thought was appropriate. Definitely we’re feeling more comfort now. As Roger and Carole live in France too, about 3 hours north of here, at least there is family nearby. Leaf’s two sisters live in the UK. I, unfortunately don’t have sibling back up. When I was a little girl I begged for a brother or sister, but one never came – t’wasn’t meant to be, I guess.
I love the idea of spring-cleaning the soul. At the moment we need to keep them sparkling, there is much in the world to be overcome. All power to the undaunted and their brave souls! Lots of love back xxxx
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So happy for you and Nigs and lovely to see Roger and Carole too it is a super photo of you all, one for my Fielding family album.
With lockdown easing I hope that you will be able to find that special person soon, will that mean that your extra help will be able to come in again too?
Lots of love to you and Nigs from us both xxxxxx
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Hi Judy, good to have you on the blog! I promise I won’t tell him you called him Nigs! Yes, I dug up that photo from many years back, if you look very closely you can tell, ha.ha.
Re helpers, we have the lovely Sylvie again and a wonderful friend who is officially our second helper. Lots of love back to you. xxxxx
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Wrong Judy Sue, cousin not sister and I have always called him Nigs, but change the post if you want too
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Hi Judy, So sorry! As all that shows up on my email is your first name, I thought it had come from sister Judy who’d been talking to us just hours before. However, I do remember thinking it was a little unusual for her to call him Nigs. Many apologies and I hope you and Dick are both well and still happy with the lockdown! xx
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We are both well and hoping that lockdown will be eased soon for us. Not being able to have family in the house is very hard, fortunately we have had good weather so out door meetings have been OK, but it would be nice to have a family gathering and be able to give everyone a big hug – we just have to be patient and keep safe. Xxx
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Dear Judy, I’m glad you’re well and hope, for all of you in the UK, that the lockdown is removed very soon. There is much debate about it online. With our love. xxx
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So lovely to read about your birthday weekend . I am glad you had a good time. Don’t ever think of yourself as inadequate! The love and care you are giving to Leaf is amazing. I don’t know what he would do without you. Yes I agree that we all need the stimulating company of other people and this lockdown has been truly awful but you have been a rock for him throughout. Love from Judy. (The sister not the cousin! !Not the first time that has caused confusion! )
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Hi Judy, Yes, it was great. I suppose I ask a lot of myself and may be a little over critical sometimes. He would indeed be lost but I’m intending to stick around for the moment, although, when he’s abusive (verbally) I’m not so tolerate.
We hope you’ll be out of lockdown very soon. Lots of love, xxx
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