From a wedding to a funeral
Last week I shared with you the joy of my daughter’s Victorian style wedding. On Monday the husband of a lifelong friend died, after she had cared for him at home, very courageously. On Thursday we attended a moving ceremony, and said our goodbyes. So much can change in a week.
All week long I’ve been wondering if I should share these six words, which have played again and again in my head. Yesterday evening I spent some time looking at my daughter’s photos of her Venice honeymoon. When “we girls” were together after the funeral we talked about “old times”, as we always do. And, of course, the subject of Lisa and the wedding was raised. She sometimes lay in her carry-cot at the “Girl’s Nights” we held in each other’s homes back then. We still do, though the children are long grown. I felt that I needed to share these six words this week, and to share with them a couple of her beautiful photographs.
Lisa in Venice
The Palazzo Ducale, covered in snow
Did you ever see more beautiful rooftops?
These masked revellers were beautiful in white too
And wasn’t this lady pretty in pink?
But, of course, it all comes back to Lisa
Life is short. Love while you can.
Join with Cate at Show My Face to share your six words for this week, and to share in the lives of others. Click on the header or the link.
Beautiful event! Lisa looks amazing. The pictures takes us to a place of joy, wonder and enchantment. This I carry today with me, “ife is short. Love while you can.” Thanks. Have a great weekend. Best wishes!
I didn’t know if it was right to marry the two together, but thank you so much. For your kind words and the support. I know you will do everything you can to make your weekend beautiful.
Life is short. Love while you can. So true… joy and sadness often come together. Life is so precious and we are vulnerable. And it’s so sad when we have to say goodbye. My condolences. Beautiful photos by the way! I love Venezia
Me too, Cessie. I was enthralled by the photos for about an hour. Took me back so many years. Many thanks.
Beautiful photos Jo…. Thank you for sharing these touching thoughts.. x
She never disappoints, Venice. Hope things are good with you this weekend, Paula.
thank you for sharing your words and pictures Jo – life is fragile and beautiful and we should celebrate it. Sorry for your loss too, I am glad you have been able to share lovely memories at the same time
and the pics of Venice are wonderful – it’s one of my favourite places on earth and I am hoping to return there again one day – thanks for reminding me of how fab it is
sending you some virtual hugs today xx
Many thanks, Aly. Mine is the easy part. Not so easy for my friend, but we’ll rally round, as best we can.
The two together were not a mistake – the joys and sadness are all part of real life. I’m so sorry you have lost your friend, but at least it was AFTER the wedding.
Thanks, Viv. It’s been so hard, and in many ways it’s a relief for his lovely wife.
Congratulations with the wedding and I’m sorry to hear about the loss. It really makes you think and want to live life to the fullest.
Stopping by from Six Word Saturday
Thanks, Nikki. Yes, living every day as fully as you can is a must (But exhausting sometim es)
I think your post is excellent, and your reminder at the bottom is perfect. I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s husband, it must have been a difficult time for you all.
These photos of Venice are fantastic – magical.
Many thanks, Elaine. Very, very difficult for my friend. All we can do now is give support while she finds a life again.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.
Bless you, Tilly. Get yourself fit and well and come out fighting!
Nice pics Jo, so sorry to hear about the funeral.
Thanks, Georgia. A relief in many ways, as we knew there was no cure.
I’ve always found through life, after happiness there always follows sadness, and visa versa, a bit of the YinYang I guess.
I admire anyone who is strong enough to care for a loved one at home, I hope she draws some comfort from such a loving act, and is soon able to start living her life to the full again.
Thanks, Vicky. She really had no choice. It was his wish, but she handled it magnificently. I doubt I could have done it.
Beautiful photos. I’m sorry to hear about your loss. You’re right: life is short, and we need to live and love in every moment we have. ♥
Thanks, Dana. It hit hard, because it’s the first of our husbands to die. We were all feeling “it could have been me”.
Amazing lady, amazing photos. And what an amazing place!
Isn’t she just, Madoqua! She’s busy studying for an exam right now, and doesn’t know that I’ve pinched these photos. (sssh!)
Sad indeed. Mesmerizing photos, though. As always, a pleasure to stop by. Thanks.
Only young, Ron, by today’s standards. He definitely drew the short straw, but he was a lovely man and well-remembered by many. I hope I can say the same when it comes around.
Love your photos. Lisa looks amazing. In life we experience both great happiness and sadness. I love your ending quote. Will be praying that your friend will receive comfort in her time of lost.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Many thanks, Francine. It won’t be easy for her as they have no family, but the funeral proved that there are lots of friends and well-wishers to offer support.
Very wise words & beautiful pictures too – lovely tribute
Thanks, Dallas. His wife is a very private person so I haven’t included any names. I hope that it will be well received if she sees it. I just needed to share it with my blogging friends.
You Lisa is soooo pretty! The last picture are her Six:
I got him, I got him!!!
Venice would be a nice place to honeymoon (been there not honeymooning).
..
She spent three years sewing his frock coat for the wedding, Jim. I guess he’s stuck with her now!
I have a lovely Lisa too, with a bounty of red hair! We are blessed! I loved the pictures on your post!
Thanks, Linda. So you do! I can’t take any credit for the photos this week. I wasn’t invited on the honeymoon (so tempting!)
I so enjoyed catching up with the last several posts. The wonderful photos from Lisa’s wedding, you loved so lovely in your beautiful dress and the honeymoon in Venice. I felt like I was part of a movie…thanks so much for sharing them. Congratulations on your latest award as well.
Thanks so much, Karen. It’s been a bumper few weeks for sure.
A bittersweet post – what an emotional time you’ve had Jo. x
A proper rollercoaster, Suze. But I’m pretty lucky in all this.
Beautiful Jo! Yes life can be scary at times. You can’t take a single moment for granted. Isn’t it a blessing to have children!
Thanks, Nicole. Smiling to myself because I’ve just had a verbal battle with my 23 year old! (just a small one, and we’re still smiling)
Is Lisa your only child or do you have more than one?
James is the 23 year old, still at home and job hunting, Nicole.
One day maybe … I will make it to the winter festival in Venice. Lisa look stunning – I love the couple in red and pink – some event.
Sorry about your friends lost, even if maybe death can be a great relief after long time of illness – the finale goodbye is always hard. Yes, we have to live here and now … the best way we can.
Yes, it looked amazing, Viveka! There were 272 photos so I was selective.
Thanks, hon. I know you’re doing a pretty good job at living for the moment.
So sorry loved your words and photography left me speechless
Thanks, Eunice. Isn’t it a magnificent spectacle? I’ve been to Venice a couple of times, but never at Carnevale.
Gourgeous
This post speaks of what is important. Thanks.
Our friendship goes back to school days, Ann, so we’ve watched each other’s families grow. (and wane) Thanks for your visit.
I agree with you about the rooftops and the sentiment about loving while you can. I think you chose well with your words, very nicely explained in your post.
Thanks, Lorna. It is a sensitive subject and I didn’t want anyone to be hurt by it, but when you start to make friends in the blogging community, you want to share some of the not so good stuff too. It’s strange isn’t it, how complete strangers can become your friends?
This is beautiful and touching, Jo. I love those six words and we should all live by them.
Thanks, Dianne. You just made me realise that I finished with six words!
Wise words Jo. And the beauty and joy in your photos validate them.. Sorry about your friend’s husband..
Thanks, Madhu. I was glad in many ways that he didn’t linger- he was only diagnosed before Christmas, but it was such a rough ride for her.
I am so sorry for your loss….
Love the pictures of Lisa!
Bless you, Hilary. Many thanks.
Beautifully said. So much can change in a few days… Thank you, Jo!
And you, Amy. Thanks for your company.
Man, this life is so hard with its ups and downs. What you say is true–we must show love as much as we can while we can.
Thanks. You have a lovely kind face, but I can’t find a link to your blog to return your visit.
Life is indeed short and we really should love when we can – thanks for sharing your thoguhts and beautiful photos.
Thanks, hon. Appreciate your vsit.i
Jo, I’m so glad you shared your six words. Lisa is so lovely and her photos transport me back. So sorry for your loss paired with your joy, but glad that you could be there for your friend. All the best, Terri
Many thanks, Terri. I did have my doubts, but have received such a lovely response, I’m glad I went with my feelings.
Beautiful Post – loving your captures:) Live & Love Large!
Many thanks! Yes, it’s a good way to live.
Wow! How glamorous. And romantic in the snow!
Yes, it really was, Kate. Cold too, but such a lovely memory to create.
Love the bridges, I can’t believe how beautiful something becomes when you take a photo in the right light.
We have some stunning bridges, even locally, but the skies seem to be perpetually grey at the minute. Thanks for your visit.
Gorgeous photos and I’d love to visit there some day.
It is the most fabulous place, Angie, at any time of the year. I love it.
That’s wonderful to know!
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Joy and sadness…. but sounds as if your friend has a true friend in you Jo, someone she can turn to. Folks with no family rely on the reaching out of others in such times .
On the joyous side what fabulous pics ! Your daughter surely looks v v happy !
Very meaningful sentiments your last words, couldn’t agree more .
Many thanks, Poppy. Us girls were out for coffee this morning. Trying to find normal again- slowly.
Gosh what a week youve had Jo! The photos are stunning and I love your words…they areprobably very true…
Sorry to hear about your friends husband,hope she is as ok as she can be at this time xxxx
Thanks, Jess! We girls had coffee together yesterday, and she seemed to be coping very well. Early days yet.
I loved the pictures! Architecture in Venice is amazing by the way.
Thanks for this post
Venice is one of those larger than life places, Virginia. Once seen, never forgotten. Thank you so much for your visit.