February 20, 2013

• Wednesday 20th February

   

   

   

  I really didn't get too many hours between shut eye and my phone waking me around 6am.

  My brother had flown in from Perth, Australia, and had managed to get an earlier flight from Auckland to Nelson as was arriving into Nelson at 8:15am.

  I text Anson and asked him to meet Murray.

  I showered and caught up my blog.

  If I let it get behind at the moment there is no way I will ever remember later.

  Azzan woke and decided he just couldn't attend One Day School this morning so I called up and cancelled.

  They had already heard our news and were so lovely.

  We headed down into town at 9am.

  I dropped Ross off at the funeral directors and then whizzed into the paint shop to reschedule my appointment.

  Azzan thought he would quite like to visit the pet shop so I left him and Christine there.

  They had a lovely morning together,

  at the library,

  

   

  

  and then at the pastry shop where Azzan told me he needed to have a junk food day.

  

   

   

  I headed around the corner and met up with Ross and the funeral director Alistair.

  Turns out he is married to a distant cousin of mine that I went to high school with - crazy small planet we live on.

  We began sorting the major details of venue and time etc

  We got it all sorted and posted the newspaper announcements etc

  The kids began arriving and we crammed into the back room to talk through the process of planning the funeral.

  It was so good to see Murray.

  He is a very loving and caring bro to me xxxx

  Graham, Phillipa & Sally came too.

  I am so incredibly blessed to have these folk in my life to support and love me through all of this.

  Once we were done Anson decided he wanted to go catch up with Nathan.

  So we loaded everyone into various vehicles and headed into the city.

  Sally & I detoured to pick up some office supplies.

  Then Mahalia text to we sidetracked and gathered her up too.

  We all converged on Hangar 58!

  Seb went off to pick up Sunni & Mat from the airport at 1pm.

  I called up Tim's cousin Phil and he popped down to hang out with us all.

  Then Estelle arrived too.

  There must've been more than 20 of us.

  We sure make a party all on our own!!

  We ordered platters of food and sat out in the sun and talked and enjoyed the day just being together.

  

  

  Then Nathan's boss Mike and his manager Carrie gave us this beautiful bunch of flowers.

  We were very touched by their generous gesture.

  

  Nathan took Christine upstairs to show her around.

  

   Mid afternoon we all headed off to do necessary things.

  Anson had to get Tim's trailer and load up our 'new' double kayak which we bought a couple of weeks ago and we now will never get to use together

  Phillipa went to do my grocery shopping.

  

  Sally, Ross, Mahalia and I went to suss out the caterers.

  The others went shopping and then headed back to David & Sasha's.

   

  All through the day we were planning and talking and making decisions as to the funeral.

  Ross, Sally & I went down to the Headingly Centre to suss it out and were horrified to find it was not as big as we had thought and it was not going to be at all suitable.

  I had been doing well all day but this is when I began to lose it.

  I left Ross to sort it out and by the time we arrived back at his house we had a new venue which will seat nearly 3 times as many.

  The funeral will now be held at 10:30am at the Annesbrook Church of Christ in Saxton's Road Stoke, Nelson.

   

  Sally took Mahalia home with her.

  She is spending the night & tomorrow with Kashana.

  Kashana lost her Daddy 2 years ago so she understands her friends grief.

   

  Tony came to discuss with us the plans for the service.

  We had a lot sorted already so it is beginning to flow.

  I am really pleased we have Tony taking the service.

  We have known him for about 30 years and he is such a lovely man.

  We also have the music sorted and are delighted that Colin is playing - he is Tony's bro-in-law!!

  Sally is singing for me too.

  Graham picked up Sunni & Mat from their motel and joined us for this planning session.

  The rest of the kids went to the airport to pick up Jesika and Evan.

   

  Finally we all packed up and headed to David & Sasha's for dinner.

  All the kids were there except Bri & Nick.

  They had driven home to get the things we needed.

  Tim's clothes and passport - no, he doesn't need it to get to heaven!!

  Just to satisfy insurance authorities!!

  After lots of hugs Anson, Seb & Murray drove home.

  They are staying for a couple of nights to get stock work done and feed dogs etc

  It was so wonderful  to have Ross & Andrea, Colin & Jillian, Pat & Phillipa there with me tonight.

  We have been friends for over 20 years.

  The grandparents of the home educating group in our region!

  Graham & Shoshannah took photos - I think the antics were worse than trying to capture kids!!

  

  They took so many photos that Jillian was smiling too long and had to sort out her face

  

  I really love and appreciate these guys.

  There is a huge hole in these photos though - an uneven number.

  Timmy is not there
  I can barely think of the prospects of being alone for the rest of my life right now - it is just far too huge.

  

  My dearest friends Phillipa & Pat - we have been through so much together.

  

  And Ross & Andrea - what would I possibly do without you two??

  Your caring hearts and practical help over these days has been immense.

  I love you both and am going to really miss you on Saturday - but know you need to be where you are and we will catch up next week xxxxx

  

   

  My darling Jesika and her Evan were there so there was loads of hugs and cuddles all round.

  Hard times for us all.

  Many tears and grief shared.

   

  Chrissy delivered dinner.

  The home ed mothers have rostered dinners for us which is amazing.

  I was so incredibly tired I just lay down on the bed and cuddled Cat while we talked.

  Was told of a wonderful photo tribute that Christian had put on Facebook for Tim.

  Called him up and asked if he could enlarge it if we sent more photos, to use at the service.

  He is going to do that and he is also flying down to be with us.

  Sally came back and she went with Colin to practice the music for the service.

  Nathan decided to go stay with Yari for the night so he headed off after dinner.

  Once it got dark David brought the brazier out and Azzan toasted marshmellows.

  

  I was so weary my body was aching and I couldn;t stand straight.

  I sat on the couch and had a cup of camomile tea and cuddled up with Marah & Phoebe.

  My two special 'daughters'.

  They made a list of the things needing to be done tomorrow and are going to take Azzan & Shoshannah with them.

   

  Finally loaded Jesika & Evan and their gear into the Terrano, along with Christine & Azzan and we headed back to Ross & Andrea's.

  Bri & Nick drove in soon after and unloaded all the timber.

  Bri is building her Dad's coffin in Ross's garage tomorrow.

  They have gone to David & Sasha's.

  We are all in bed and I am seriously needing to shut this computer off and go to sleep.

   

  I just want to say though that I am totally overwhelmed by all the messages of love and support that have been flowing in from all over the world.

  My Timmy was such a special and much loved man.

  He was so incredibly humble though that he would be wondering what on earth all the fuss is about!

   

   

   

   

   

   

  • 7:54 am
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