The very worst

So--I headed off to London, arriving there on the afternoon of 22nd June--a month ago today. My ex-husband was meeting me at Heathrow and we planned to go to the hospice and see Samantha. In the queue at immigration, I activated my mobile phone and checked that Michael was waiting at the gate. He was. Then I checked Facebook, and the first thing I saw was a post from my youngest daughter, beginning 'RIP my sister . . . '

I had not anticipated this, though I was aware that her condition was deteriorating. It was a dreadful blow, and I completely 'lost it' in the queue--but staff were beautiful and I was whisked through passport control and customs and sobbed in Michael's arms for some time.

Her funeral, a week later, was pretty well as she had planned. A bright pink coffin. Everybody in bright clothing, and a big party at home afterwards. In a few months, her ashes will be scattered in her favourite place off the coast of Thailand.

So--from the time I left for London, I have not been doing anything whatsoever with WA until this moment.

During the next week or so, I shall get back to my websites and see what happens.

I am back at work (I am a teacher-librarian), but nothing seems real or close. It is as if I am floating somewhere and not quite connecting. The staff here are wonderfully supportive--from the Principal to the lady who cleans my library and office. The students were glad to see me back--quite a number of them expressed that. It is such a blessing to have a career as a teacher!--at least in NSW government schools.