Weekend in Sheffield

On Friday, after doing laundry, I packed up and took a two hour train trip to Sheffield. I have no idea which way it was relative to London, but I do know that it was beautiful. It was not the side trip to which I was most looking forward. The purpose of the trip was to participate (not just attend) a TCF (The Compassionate Friends) supportive weekend. I slept on the train (stress does that to me), but was greeted by the most delightful older man, Jerry (in the background below) who made me feel quite welcome.

The food over the weekend was in abundance and was, I'm told, typically British. For example, I had duck salad, ocean pie, and yorkshire pudding with roast beef! Each morning offered a full english breakfast. The odd thing to me is that it includes what looks to me like it might be Van Camps beans! I passed on that. By the end of the weekend, I was free to ask these dear people anything about what they were saying and what we were eating. The seemed to enjoy watching me try to navigate their world.

Saturday afternoon, a group of us went on a hike through the countryside. We left through a back gate from the Whirlow property (pictured above) and walked between two "dry walls." These are the walls that are simply stones piled very carefully. They are called dry walls because there is now (wet) cement kind of stuff used to put it together. it was simply amazing! It is the law that landowners have to allow you to pass through their property. In order to do this, we had to climb over the fences using these steps. Towards the end we went into the woods and descended using steps that were built into the side of the hill. This brought us to our destination, a magnificent city park. While we were sitting there, most having tea, of course, a wedding reception began and we just sat there. I don't know, but somehow I found it kind of funny!

All in all it was a good weekend. It was very encouraging to see people who had lost children years ago who had found the balance of moving forward while honoring their children who had died. I had psyched myself up before I went by telling myself, "It's only 48 hours and you never have to see these people again!" I left kind of sad saying, "We only had 48 hours and I may never see these people again." What an amazing turn-around!