Yule & 2009 Message

Goodbye 2008 Hello 2009

Well what a 2008 and for those who have followed our high and low points on my blog site ( www.sisterdm.blogspot.com ) you will know exactly what I mean!

The low point but not without it’s moments of enlightenment, support and help in coping with change, was the sudden death of my Mother (29th August). While her health has been problematic for a short while, the home nursing support, admission to hospital and her passing was so quick. I am thankful for that as I know Mum would have been very unhappy if she had to rely upon others for her daily care needs! So to cut a very long story short and moving on we now have a country home which we hope when the time comes and our health permitting will be somewhere for us to end our days!

The year started off so promising with the most memorable time in Australia, staying with Robin but travelling around to Cairns and also the Blue Mountain area. Mardi Gras was of course a highlight but could not topped being with Robin and Andy and doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk!

I continued to make regular trips to Austwick and after the sunshine of Oz had to cope with the Easter snows! I have to say the village looked a picture but it took half an hour to get our of the village on to the A65! While back in Kirkcaldy the salted air had kept the snow at bay and I return to the usual dull and damp of the Scottish climate! Oz being the main trip this year we have not had an opportunity for getting a sun-fix!

Reflecting and going through the pages of the diary I find it’s a mix of work, travels and generally good time so the nasty times are put into some perspective and generally we have had good health, so that’s a valuable element to our lives.

Most certainly a highlight was a trip in September to stay will Bill & Barrie and visit the Theatre Royal Newcastle to see Michael Bourne’s “Picture of Dorian Grey” it was brilliant, so booked another trip in February to see “West Side Story” which should bring back some London memories of the 1960’s for me!

In other people’s lives we shared some moments with Derek and Jaki and their lovely new addition to the family, Lucy. What a treasure she is for them and so much loved.

Sadly we said our goodbye to Anne’s partner Fiona. Nearly a year “legally” together Anne and Fi were a “great” couple in every sense of the word. Equally a former client of mine but a cousin to Derry, Dawn left us with so much admiration for someone who embraced “disabilities” and transcended any stereotype of what might be expected! Irene Kidd who worked with me at the Forward Centre recently passed away and although we had not seen each other of recent times, I have some good memories of Irene’s “coming out”!

Trauma time has been the attack on Arthur’s aunt, Doreen. Her time in hospital and now her home move and court case in the New Year! A really terrible time but with better times in 2009!

Representing Unison Scotland at ILGA Europe & World Conferences in Vienna was a real honour, although a demanding one! I learnt such a lot, especially at the World Conference which had to be changed from Toronto to Vienna – but they did us proud in Vienna – and I know some are fed up hearing about meeting the President of Austria, being wined and dined at the Austrian Parliament and City Hall – twice – then taking for a night tour of Vienna by the tourist board and given a brilliant night in the local winery! So when I mention Vienna I’ll also talk about making a difference to people’s lives world wide where prejudice and oppression really does manifest itself in the death of our brothers and sisters. Hence being honoured to play some part in making humanity better!

For me 2009 will present it’s usual crop of challenges and there will of course be a great void in my life one filled with sadness, regret but a little lighter by reflecting on the times when things were brighter. The development of the community training company “MAJAK” will be interesting to see if we can really get a community interest project off the ground and enable people to learn from the skills and experience the members of the company have; to get a balance between life in two homes; working in the project and consultancy but more especially keeping what Frank and I have together for each other will be my 2009 resolutions!

FRANK’S BIT NOW
My recent accident, falling on the icy steps at South Fergus Place and sustaining a broken rib have been a major inconvenience of late but I hope on the mend and ready for the festive holiday. Trying to give up smoking from 1st April, but as a result of the climb on Sydney Harbour Bridge, where I realised that I needed more breath than the menthol’s would allow, has been a real focus for me with a Lochgelly lads determination I’m sure I will succeed!

The project continues to encounter difficult financial times and from next year I will not be working Saturdays which will help with resources there but also allow Alec and I time to get down to Austwick as much as possible. “Highfield” is a big home and will take a lot of looking after. I feel I have already made a good start with the decorating nearly completed but I suspect Alec will have other plans, as he always does and I wish he would slow down!

THEN FINALLY
So to start 2009 we are having house guests at “Highfield” and hope for a balanced home life with a little work to keep us going! Keep an eye on the blog for more up to date wandering and life’s ups and downs,

We wish all you wish for yourself for the coming year, so from us, peace, goodwill, health and happiness to you all!

Alec & Frank

Snow that fell!

We (in Kirkcaldy) have escaped the worst of the forecasted snow but I was reflecting on last March when Austwick had a major covering and must be like that at the present! I've had a couple of calls from neighbours looking after the house for us and it does seem to be like the picture here! I'm working on a "welcome" pack for visitors when we are not about. So much to tell folk that we just get on and do!

Broken Frank & Tales of Vienna

Afraid Frank slipped on the icy stone steps of the project last Tuesday and gave in to my nagging yesterday, so we spent nearly five hours in the casualty department of the Victoria Hospital. He was not the only person who has slipped on the ice! To result is that he has a broken rib and a touch of pneumonia - which i put down to all the years of the ciggies addiction catching up on him! Off work the rest of the week and I hope back on Monday but we will wait and see how he copes with very strong medication!

So memories of better days thought you might like to see the "group" of Unison delegates from Scotland who attended ILGA Conference! Will be finishing the report this week and publishing it on here! From left to right - me - Liz - David - Lynn - Raymond & James - a formidable group of LGBT activists!