Thomas Campbell - A Life Well Lived

"Every man has a piece of sky in his breast and in it flies a swallow.” - Fatos Arapi

It seemed fitting that the grey skies had been banished and the sun should be shining as we drew up to the cemetary to say goodbye to my Uncle Tom.

Instead of being in some building to say our farewells, we were outside in nature, the grass was soft and yielding underfoot and the big dome of the sky served as our ceiling. The weather was mild for a February morning as we gathered by the side of the grave and the celebrant began to speak.

My eyes wandered over the assortment of people there to pay their respects, almost all of whom were strangers to me. Some stood way back, some in small groups, some alone. All united in their wish to say goodbye to Tom Campbell, who with his twinkly eyes and ready smile was always willing to give others a helping hand.

Those who knew him, loved him, and it showed.

Though I didn't see him that often, my Uncle Tom had been there for as long as I remember. When I was young, he would always have sweets and smiles for us eager children. And when, years later I bumped into him unexpectedly, his big beaming smile and twinkly eyes had me running into his arms to hug him.

You never visited him without coming back with some delicious offering, freshly picked from his garden. On one of my last visits I returned home with armfulls of purple sprouting broccoli and two big containers that he had planted up for me with colourful summer bedding plants. He was a generous and giving man with a keen sense of fun.

"Put seeds and cover them. Blades will sprout where you do your work." – Rumi

His garage was a virtual treasure trove, and if there was anything anyone needed he almost certainly had it and it was freely offered. In fact when Joe was building our campervan, Uncle Tom supplied him with so much wood and metal, that he helped beyond measure.

Inside his house, it was a veritable feast for the eyes, especially for a magpie like me. Much to his daughter (my cousin) Shelagh's chagrin, he 'collected' things.

I loved to see all of the bits and bobs, the china birds, the bells, the brass, the eclectic mix of his treasures. They made me smile and want to give him another hug for just being him...which I invariably did.

So now whenever I shall see the little items that once belonged to him, (that are now sitting in amongst my own treasures,) I shall think of him and picture his smiling eyes and send him a hug.

He was a good man and he will be remembered with much love and affection.

Thomas Campbell born January 16, 1921 - died February 11, 2012, aged 91.

Twinkling eyes
a ready smile
irish brogue
never lost
he touched
the earth
made things grow
food - flowers
he understood
the land
walked its soil
planted and harvested
- it is his turn now
his life sown - grown,
and blossomed
it has given forth its bounty
and its produce was good
may the great gardener
appreciate his crop
he will live on
in the hearts
of those who knew
and loved him.

Thought of the week
❝To know even one life has breathed easier because
you have lived, this is to have succeeded."- Emerson

Words and images - Susannah Bec.

And then the snow fell. . .

"Snow, a soft white blanket covering over the stains of everyday life.
All is clean, white, virginal, new. Winter branches bent under the weight
of the decorators white sheet. Everything sparkling, untouched, unspoiled
- awaiting tomorrows footsteps. . ."

This week has been one where my mood has been subdued, withdrawn, craving quiet and distance.
I think of it like weather, we humans have our cloudy days too. The sun can't always shine, and in the bigger scheme of things, I am sure that days like these are necessary too.

"I am wearing a dark cloak today, I feel its weight heavy on my shoulders.

It falls around my feet in voluminous folds, a grey mountain range for me to cross."

Snug indoors, Bina and I are content to let the snowy world outside continue without us .

"There are diamonds in the snow, I see them sparkling.
Tiny lights, brilliant and bewitching. Others walk on by. Can they not
see the treasure that is glistening there on the cold and holy ground? . . ."

I hope all is well in your world. x

I am sorry I haven't been around to visit you all lately, I promise I shall catch up again soon.
Until then, I want to thank you for sharing this space with me and wish you lots of love.
- Susannah x

Thought of the week

“We are our own dragons as well as our own heroes,
and we have to rescue ourselves from ourselves.” -Tom Robbins

Images and words - Susannah Bec

Reflections and Realisations. . .

"Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth." - Rumi

This week has been one of reflection and realisation. Now that the festivities have passed and there's a new year with a blank slate in front of me, the thoughts of what I want to bring into my life, arise. They float around the edge of my consciousness, half formed and shadowy. They wait for me to give them form, to understand what it is I need to do. Where it is that I need to direct my energy. . .

When the words don't come

I look for them.

I shine a torch into dark corners,
- dig down into the silt.

Looking for letters that have fallen
from my mouth as I was speaking.

And there, half buried in the sludge
I find them.

Carefully I dig out each one.

Only to discover that they
spell out one word

. . . W R I T E

And I understood that that is exactly what I need to do. I have a book waiting, one that is finished but for the final polish. But there is procrastination involved, I can feel a sense of holding back - because saying 'it's done' will involve taking another step. I will be setting out on the next part of the journey and there will be decisions to make.

So, instead of writing I have been following my usual distractions - taking photos, changing my blog look etc. etc. In fact I spent a great deal of time putting together a some of my poems with some of my old digital art images. It is still a work in progress but you can find it here - Under my Skin

But as I HAVE been taking photos, I thought I would share some of them here with you. :-)

Above, I was so pleased to catch this bird just taking flight
and below, these house names caught my eye on a walk around the village

Down by the canal. . .
I love the different surfaces, colours, and the lovely moss edging!

Such beautiful reflections in the canal. . .

When everything had gone,

I found I still had myself.

The grand continent of me,

still existed inside my skin.

I took freedom in exchange for possessions.

I filled the space with trees.

I quickly discovered other truths.

The infinite possibilities of darkness,
that sunlight glinting has its own rewards,
and that things remain lost until they are found.

- S B

The beauty of sunlight and shadows

And back at the car. . . Joe and reflected trees

I hope your week has been a good one. x

Thought of the week
"We each have a choice, and with each action we either feed
or starve our life force. " - Debbie Ford

Words and Images - Susannah Bec.