The weekend was dominated by Sophie's party on Saturday, to celebrate what would have been her 20th birthday.
The party takes the form of an open house, with people able to come and go as they please with food (chosen to reflect what Sophie liked) and drink available when they want it. In addition, the kids run a tombola in the garden, with lots of small prizes - Sophie loved doing these at fetes, so it is something we like to include.
We had a good flow of people during the day, with the last, my 2 brothers, leaving at around 10pm. I can't remember the last time the 3 of us were in a room together, it felt quite strange.
On Sunday we were exhausted and did as little as we could, slobbing in front of the TV as much as possible. In the evening we had our balloon releasing ritual. This goes back to when Sophie was very young. We had been to a fete and bought her a really expensive (for us at the time) balloon of Winnie the Pooh (Sophie's favourite character). When we got home, just before going inside, she let it go - she did not need it any more! It was one of those defining moments. So on Sunday evening we released 3 (one for each of the kids) Winnie the Pooh balloons into the still, evening sky. They rose up into the air to an incredible height before hitting an air stream that took them off Eastwards.
Just as the balloons vanished from view the evening electrical storm started. It was stunning, I have never seen anything like it, so we sat in the garden and watched until the rain arrived, sending us fleeing for cover.
A great weekend, now we can relax a bit as the DIY is over for the moment - I hope. Just need to settle down and finish painting the soldiers for my summer wargames party, the Roman conquest of Romania (or not, as the case may be!)
About Me
- Rock Chef
- Hi I am married and have 4 kids - 2 boys(16 and 21), a girl (18) and another daughter who died in 2005 at the age of 17. My hobbies are wargaming and playing guitar (6 string electric and 4, 5, 8 string and fretless bass). I love spoof movies, which the kids call "Dad's stupid films" (but that doesn't stop they buying me new ones!).
5 comments:
Oh John, what a fabulous way to celebrate Sophie's life!
Releasing the balloons was a fantastic idea - I'm glad you are continuing that tradition.
Perhaps the lightning in the sky was her way of letting you know she saw and appreciated it. :)
I am sitting here teary eyed. The love you and your family have for Sophie is BEAUTIFUL. The honor you give to her by having a party and the releasing of the balloons (incredibly symbolic I might add) is BEAUTIFUL as well. The way you remember her makes my heart feel good. I know no other way to say it.
What a BEAUTIFUL family you have!
What a wonderful way to remember your daughter. I think it's fantastic that you share the celebration with family and friends too. I think she would like that you are celebrating, rather than spending the day being lost in sadness. Hugs!
Thanks for your comments. We find that this is a good way of doing things. One of our main concerns was that we wanted to help the younger ones to deal with the loss well, and we feel that we have achieved that. If anything they have taken strength from it.
It's a wonderful way of remembering Sophie. I thought about you & your fam all weekend. The releasing of the ballons is a great idea & a way of remembering her. I know she appreciates that she is being remembered in the most coolest way. Specially by doing what she liked!! You guys are a wonderful fam!!
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