It isn’t that the second year is harder than the first, it is just much harder than you expect it to be. The secondary losses begin to dominate your thoughts, and additionally in my case, there is also the stress of trying to sell the house. A process not easy at the best of times let alone after a devastating loss and in a challenging house market.

Another challenge which caught me unawares last week was the sudden realisation that I can no longer say he died last year. It’s probably seems a small thing but it is one that catches my breath, and somehow emphasises how much the world has moved on from my grief. No wonder sitting down to write a blog post hasn’t even been part of my thinking. However I have missed you all, so I thought I’d sit down today to write a line or to, plus share a few photographs from recent walks and adventures. First let’s start with a few memories of Scotland which is where I left you when I last shared a blog post.

It was a glorious ten days catching up with friends, family and enjoying the delights of the Edinburgh art scene. I didn’t have much time on my return, before I was off again. This time to London to remember Robert at a regimental event, and a few days later my eye was caught once more about the autumnal colours of 2023. 2023 may have been a soggy year, but there were occasional moments when the skies were blue.

Over Christmas I spent time in the town which I hope will become my new home this year. It was mostly a positive trip, and I’ve already connected with some local community groups, and plan to make more connections as soon as I move. I might not know what the new me is going to want to do in the future, but I do know that continuing daily walks alongside creating a new local community around me will be a priority.

I am probably going to go quiet again for the next few months as it looks like I may have finally sold my house, so fingers crossed I will soon be juggling all that comes with moving house and house hunting in a new area. Once that is all done though, I plan to make a gradual return to the blogging sphere, or perhaps, given the number of squared shots in this post, I might throw myself in with a month of squares!

52 thoughts

  1. It really is so lovely to be reading your blogs again. It definitely seems to get harder after the first year but you will get through. Look forward to reading more soon.

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  2. Lovely to hear from you again Becky, sorry for late response but going through my emails from my blog which I should check more regularly. I hope all goes well with your move and look forward to some squares soon 🙂

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  3. It’s so nice to read from you again and to read that you are doing things and making plans for the future. You need a lot of strength for what lies ahead of you and I hope you can find it, actually from the little bit I know of you via your blog I’m pretty sure you will do so. We are here and will welcome you back with open arms if I may be so bold as to speak for the squaring community. If it is too presumptuous, then it’s just for me. As always: Take care of yourself!

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  4. I am overwhelmed at the idea of moving, much less actually doing it. Time does fly. I’m sometimes shocked at how long ago my mother died and now, since my first husband pass was 30 years ago. It doesn’t seem that long. I hope you have found a buyer and I hope you are able to make the arrangements you need with the least possible stress. You sure haven’t lost your ability to take amazing pictures!

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  5. I am glad to read you have sold the house and that you can look forward to what’s ahead but not taking anything away from the grief and remembrances of your life with your dear husband. Sending my best wishes from Australia! Denyse

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    1. Thanks Anabel, I have everything crossed too. The buyers are keen so just hoping nothing scary was discovered in yesterday’s survey. I’ll find out next week I guess

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  7. I have just read your post, last year to me is also the hard year too, but I do hope this will be better soon. But with the positive thinking, I think most of the worst will be better. Good luck

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