12 Months

 My first 12 months without Peter.  One of my hardest years, little things still catch me out and I am in tears.  So sad I know but the feeling of grief washes over me and  . . . . . .. 

I did not want to be at home for this 'anniversary' so I arranged to spend the day with my Darling Daughters.

It was very overcast when I started out and by the time I met up with DDC it was raining!  It continued raining all the rest of the day . . . . .

DDC and I went to Kings Heath, known as the Village because around the outskirts of Birmingham the small village centres still remain.  The name of the village is dependant where you live in Birmingham, it's still known locally as 'the village'.  I knew that the land outside the main church had been landscaped and all sorts of events were held there.

We decided to walk down one side of the road and then back up the other side to, what appeared to be, a Farmers Market outside the Church.  We shopped and chatted and walked round the Market, we could see a queue for one stall when on the other side of the road . . . . . Samosas!!  Such a  popular food!

As we waited to DDN, I realised the time and started to get weepy, then an ambulance went by and I lost it . . . . . 

DDC was in a shop and was causing havoc cos she asked for something being displayed in the window.  This eventually took my mind off things as I watched the capers in the shop and I managed to get control again.

DDN took us out to a Miller & Carver restaurant in the countryside, we had decided to go to a M&C because DDC and myself had never been.  Peter and I always intended to go . . . . . 

We went for the full blown meal!

We all had starters, two had Prawn cocktail and one had Calamari.  Delish!

This was followed by steak, of course, with different sauces and accompaniments.

We struggled with the amount, doesn't look much but, boy!, was it filling

We took our time to order dessert and we each had something different.  Mine was to die for!!!

Passion Fruit Eton Mess

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Banoffee Pie

      

A fair few hours later we left and came home . . . . . it was still raining. . . . . 

I had a very enjoyable day, one which will be a wonderful memory as I close the door to my first year on my own.

I have come a long way in the last twelve months . . . . I have kept busy, I have changed the garden and my rooms around and slowly I am building a new life and new memories.

I am so thankful for my family and friends who hear me out, let me cry and never criticise.  It means a lot to know you're there.