Messy Desk Days Blog

A tough day

Written by

Nic Howard

in

It's been a surreal kind of a day.  The rain has pelted down in what is totally unusual weather for summer.  We had 14 degrees today, and as I sit typing this I have just heard that the Met Service has released weather warnings of almost Civil Defence standards for a storm to hit tonight.  they are forecasting flash floods and power cuts.  With the way the rain is hitting the windows right now, I believe them.

It kind of matches my mood today.  This past few week have been hard as I've known my dear friend Shauna was losing her battle with cancer.  Today Shauna passed away. IT was a brave fight, but it doesn't make it any easier to say goodbyes.

Those of you that have known me for a while, know how much Shauna meant to me, to so many of us.  When she was diagnosed with cancer in June 2006, I made her an album, and entered in the Chatterbox Make it Meaningful contest.  I sent the album to her last year, when things really started to get rough. 

Shauna was the foundation of my scrapbooking.  She was my mentor and my hero.  She was my encouragement and someone I will always hold dear.  When I wrote my book in 2006, it was Shauna it was dedicated to.
Goodbye sweet Shauna.  Your soft, gentle and loving ways will never be forgotten.

(Pages from the album I made for Shauna, 2006.)

Shauna 1

Shauna 2
 
  

 

Comments

76 responses to “A tough day”

  1. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    so so sorry nic. big hugs xx

    Reply
  2. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    so so sorry nic. big hugs xx

    Reply
  3. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    so so sorry nic. big hugs xx

    Reply
  4. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    so so sorry nic. big hugs xx

    Reply
  5. JenM Avatar
    JenM

    I am so, so sorry for your loss {{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}

    Reply
  6. JenM Avatar
    JenM

    I am so, so sorry for your loss {{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}

    Reply
  7. JenM Avatar
    JenM

    I am so, so sorry for your loss {{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}

    Reply
  8. JenM Avatar
    JenM

    I am so, so sorry for your loss {{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}

    Reply
  9. Sarah Schwerin Avatar
    Sarah Schwerin

    So sorry to hear this Nic. I was actually wondering about Shauna a few weeks back – this is really sad news. Thinking of you. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Sarah Schwerin Avatar
    Sarah Schwerin

    So sorry to hear this Nic. I was actually wondering about Shauna a few weeks back – this is really sad news. Thinking of you. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Sarah Schwerin Avatar
    Sarah Schwerin

    So sorry to hear this Nic. I was actually wondering about Shauna a few weeks back – this is really sad news. Thinking of you. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Sarah Schwerin Avatar
    Sarah Schwerin

    So sorry to hear this Nic. I was actually wondering about Shauna a few weeks back – this is really sad news. Thinking of you. 🙂

    Reply
  13. kathie Avatar
    kathie

    Nic, I am so so sorry to hear the news about Shauna. Judging from the pages you’ve shared here, the book you made for her was absolutely beautiful. I had tears in my eyes reading your note to her, and I’m sure it was a source of consolation and warmth for her in these last few years. Holding her family and her friends in my thoughts at this sad time.

    Reply
  14. kathie Avatar
    kathie

    Nic, I am so so sorry to hear the news about Shauna. Judging from the pages you’ve shared here, the book you made for her was absolutely beautiful. I had tears in my eyes reading your note to her, and I’m sure it was a source of consolation and warmth for her in these last few years. Holding her family and her friends in my thoughts at this sad time.

    Reply
  15. kathie Avatar
    kathie

    Nic, I am so so sorry to hear the news about Shauna. Judging from the pages you’ve shared here, the book you made for her was absolutely beautiful. I had tears in my eyes reading your note to her, and I’m sure it was a source of consolation and warmth for her in these last few years. Holding her family and her friends in my thoughts at this sad time.

    Reply
  16. kathie Avatar
    kathie

    Nic, I am so so sorry to hear the news about Shauna. Judging from the pages you’ve shared here, the book you made for her was absolutely beautiful. I had tears in my eyes reading your note to her, and I’m sure it was a source of consolation and warmth for her in these last few years. Holding her family and her friends in my thoughts at this sad time.

    Reply
  17. Susan Hetherington Senior Avatar
    Susan Hetherington Senior

    Shauna was an amazing person. She will live on in the hearts of so many people she touched over the years. Hugs to you.

    Reply
  18. Susan Hetherington Senior Avatar
    Susan Hetherington Senior

    Shauna was an amazing person. She will live on in the hearts of so many people she touched over the years. Hugs to you.

    Reply
  19. Susan Hetherington Senior Avatar
    Susan Hetherington Senior

    Shauna was an amazing person. She will live on in the hearts of so many people she touched over the years. Hugs to you.

    Reply
  20. Susan Hetherington Senior Avatar
    Susan Hetherington Senior

    Shauna was an amazing person. She will live on in the hearts of so many people she touched over the years. Hugs to you.

    Reply
  21. dalis Avatar
    dalis

    I am so sorry for your lost, cancer is something we need to eradicate from this world. We have lost too many good women and men to it, but remember your brave friend Shauna is now pain free. {{{HUGS}}}
    — dalis

    Reply
  22. dalis Avatar
    dalis

    I am so sorry for your lost, cancer is something we need to eradicate from this world. We have lost too many good women and men to it, but remember your brave friend Shauna is now pain free. {{{HUGS}}}
    — dalis

    Reply
  23. dalis Avatar
    dalis

    I am so sorry for your lost, cancer is something we need to eradicate from this world. We have lost too many good women and men to it, but remember your brave friend Shauna is now pain free. {{{HUGS}}}
    — dalis

    Reply
  24. dalis Avatar
    dalis

    I am so sorry for your lost, cancer is something we need to eradicate from this world. We have lost too many good women and men to it, but remember your brave friend Shauna is now pain free. {{{HUGS}}}
    — dalis

    Reply
  25. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    I visited Shauna’s blog on a number of occasions when you linked to it from here. She fought with such courage and grace. I’m so sad for you and for all those who loved her.
    Thinking of you, Nic. xoxo

    Reply
  26. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    I visited Shauna’s blog on a number of occasions when you linked to it from here. She fought with such courage and grace. I’m so sad for you and for all those who loved her.
    Thinking of you, Nic. xoxo

    Reply
  27. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    I visited Shauna’s blog on a number of occasions when you linked to it from here. She fought with such courage and grace. I’m so sad for you and for all those who loved her.
    Thinking of you, Nic. xoxo

    Reply
  28. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    I visited Shauna’s blog on a number of occasions when you linked to it from here. She fought with such courage and grace. I’m so sad for you and for all those who loved her.
    Thinking of you, Nic. xoxo

    Reply
  29. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    oh nic 🙁 I’m so sorry. I had no idean she had passed…i remember that book well.

    Reply
  30. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    oh nic 🙁 I’m so sorry. I had no idean she had passed…i remember that book well.

    Reply
  31. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    oh nic 🙁 I’m so sorry. I had no idean she had passed…i remember that book well.

    Reply
  32. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    oh nic 🙁 I’m so sorry. I had no idean she had passed…i remember that book well.

    Reply
  33. Chris M Avatar
    Chris M

    It’s a sad day Nic. Embrace your loved ones and remember the times you and Shauna spent together. Hugs.

    Reply
  34. Chris M Avatar
    Chris M

    It’s a sad day Nic. Embrace your loved ones and remember the times you and Shauna spent together. Hugs.

    Reply
  35. Chris M Avatar
    Chris M

    It’s a sad day Nic. Embrace your loved ones and remember the times you and Shauna spent together. Hugs.

    Reply
  36. Chris M Avatar
    Chris M

    It’s a sad day Nic. Embrace your loved ones and remember the times you and Shauna spent together. Hugs.

    Reply
  37. Megan Renfree Avatar
    Megan Renfree

    I am so sad. She will be missed!!

    Reply
  38. Megan Renfree Avatar
    Megan Renfree

    I am so sad. She will be missed!!

    Reply
  39. Megan Renfree Avatar
    Megan Renfree

    I am so sad. She will be missed!!

    Reply
  40. Megan Renfree Avatar
    Megan Renfree

    I am so sad. She will be missed!!

    Reply
  41. Renne Avatar
    Renne

    I am so sorry for your loss Nic- and I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to write these words. When I lost my dad a few years back, I came across some words that helped me- and really, not much did- buut even now, with the pain still like a knife in my heart- i find comfort in this-its by Henry van Dyke and its called “Gone From my Sight” :
    “I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side
    spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and
    starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty
    and strength. I stand and watch her until at length
    she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where
    the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
    Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
    “Gone where?”
    Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in
    mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and
    she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her
    destined port.
    Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the
    moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
    there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
    ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
    And that is dying.”
    My thoughts are with you- and all your families.
    Renne

    Reply
  42. Renne Avatar
    Renne

    I am so sorry for your loss Nic- and I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to write these words. When I lost my dad a few years back, I came across some words that helped me- and really, not much did- buut even now, with the pain still like a knife in my heart- i find comfort in this-its by Henry van Dyke and its called “Gone From my Sight” :
    “I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side
    spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and
    starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty
    and strength. I stand and watch her until at length
    she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where
    the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
    Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
    “Gone where?”
    Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in
    mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and
    she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her
    destined port.
    Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the
    moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
    there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
    ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
    And that is dying.”
    My thoughts are with you- and all your families.
    Renne

    Reply
  43. Renne Avatar
    Renne

    I am so sorry for your loss Nic- and I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to write these words. When I lost my dad a few years back, I came across some words that helped me- and really, not much did- buut even now, with the pain still like a knife in my heart- i find comfort in this-its by Henry van Dyke and its called “Gone From my Sight” :
    “I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side
    spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and
    starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty
    and strength. I stand and watch her until at length
    she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where
    the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
    Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
    “Gone where?”
    Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in
    mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and
    she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her
    destined port.
    Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the
    moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
    there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
    ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
    And that is dying.”
    My thoughts are with you- and all your families.
    Renne

    Reply
  44. Renne Avatar
    Renne

    I am so sorry for your loss Nic- and I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to write these words. When I lost my dad a few years back, I came across some words that helped me- and really, not much did- buut even now, with the pain still like a knife in my heart- i find comfort in this-its by Henry van Dyke and its called “Gone From my Sight” :
    “I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side
    spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and
    starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty
    and strength. I stand and watch her until at length
    she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where
    the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
    Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
    “Gone where?”
    Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in
    mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and
    she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her
    destined port.
    Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the
    moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
    there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
    ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
    And that is dying.”
    My thoughts are with you- and all your families.
    Renne

    Reply
  45. Bronny Avatar
    Bronny

    Nic, I’m so sorry to hear about Shauna, thinking of you ((hugs))

    Reply
  46. Bronny Avatar
    Bronny

    Nic, I’m so sorry to hear about Shauna, thinking of you ((hugs))

    Reply
  47. Bronny Avatar
    Bronny

    Nic, I’m so sorry to hear about Shauna, thinking of you ((hugs))

    Reply
  48. Bronny Avatar
    Bronny

    Nic, I’m so sorry to hear about Shauna, thinking of you ((hugs))

    Reply
  49. louise Avatar
    louise

    Nic so sorry to hear of your loss, muuuch cyber Mwah to you!!!!
    Lou X

    Reply
  50. louise Avatar
    louise

    Nic so sorry to hear of your loss, muuuch cyber Mwah to you!!!!
    Lou X

    Reply
  51. louise Avatar
    louise

    Nic so sorry to hear of your loss, muuuch cyber Mwah to you!!!!
    Lou X

    Reply
  52. louise Avatar
    louise

    Nic so sorry to hear of your loss, muuuch cyber Mwah to you!!!!
    Lou X

    Reply
  53. Jenny E Avatar
    Jenny E

    So sorry to hear that, Nic; my thoughts are with you.

    Reply
  54. Jenny E Avatar
    Jenny E

    So sorry to hear that, Nic; my thoughts are with you.

    Reply
  55. Jenny E Avatar
    Jenny E

    So sorry to hear that, Nic; my thoughts are with you.

    Reply
  56. Jenny E Avatar
    Jenny E

    So sorry to hear that, Nic; my thoughts are with you.

    Reply
  57. Sharmaine Avatar
    Sharmaine

    Hugs Nic 🙂 Thinking of you and Shauna’s family 🙂

    Reply
  58. Sharmaine Avatar
    Sharmaine

    Hugs Nic 🙂 Thinking of you and Shauna’s family 🙂

    Reply
  59. Sharmaine Avatar
    Sharmaine

    Hugs Nic 🙂 Thinking of you and Shauna’s family 🙂

    Reply
  60. Sharmaine Avatar
    Sharmaine

    Hugs Nic 🙂 Thinking of you and Shauna’s family 🙂

    Reply
  61. Christine Blain Avatar
    Christine Blain

    Nic, I feel for you. lovey; I do know how it feels to lose a soooooo special friend to cancer. I, too, had followed your link to Shauna’s blog on many occasions, and I was very sad to read today that she has died. She knew how much you loved her, and that is one of life’s greatest blessings. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us in ‘blogland’.

    Reply
  62. Christine Blain Avatar
    Christine Blain

    Nic, I feel for you. lovey; I do know how it feels to lose a soooooo special friend to cancer. I, too, had followed your link to Shauna’s blog on many occasions, and I was very sad to read today that she has died. She knew how much you loved her, and that is one of life’s greatest blessings. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us in ‘blogland’.

    Reply
  63. Christine Blain Avatar
    Christine Blain

    Nic, I feel for you. lovey; I do know how it feels to lose a soooooo special friend to cancer. I, too, had followed your link to Shauna’s blog on many occasions, and I was very sad to read today that she has died. She knew how much you loved her, and that is one of life’s greatest blessings. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us in ‘blogland’.

    Reply
  64. Christine Blain Avatar
    Christine Blain

    Nic, I feel for you. lovey; I do know how it feels to lose a soooooo special friend to cancer. I, too, had followed your link to Shauna’s blog on many occasions, and I was very sad to read today that she has died. She knew how much you loved her, and that is one of life’s greatest blessings. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us in ‘blogland’.

    Reply
  65. Helene Avatar
    Helene

    I’m sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  66. Helene Avatar
    Helene

    I’m sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  67. Helene Avatar
    Helene

    I’m sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  68. Helene Avatar
    Helene

    I’m sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  69. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    Your book meant so much to her, and will be a lasting tribute for her family. Thanks for all of your emails and friendship. Love to you, Nic. Paris

    Reply
  70. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    Your book meant so much to her, and will be a lasting tribute for her family. Thanks for all of your emails and friendship. Love to you, Nic. Paris

    Reply
  71. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    Your book meant so much to her, and will be a lasting tribute for her family. Thanks for all of your emails and friendship. Love to you, Nic. Paris

    Reply
  72. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    Your book meant so much to her, and will be a lasting tribute for her family. Thanks for all of your emails and friendship. Love to you, Nic. Paris

    Reply
  73. Erica Lasham Avatar
    Erica Lasham

    Oh Nic, I am so sorry to hear about Shauna, Hugs to you & her family at this very sad time.

    Reply
  74. Erica Lasham Avatar
    Erica Lasham

    Oh Nic, I am so sorry to hear about Shauna, Hugs to you & her family at this very sad time.

    Reply
  75. Erica Lasham Avatar
    Erica Lasham

    Oh Nic, I am so sorry to hear about Shauna, Hugs to you & her family at this very sad time.

    Reply
  76. Erica Lasham Avatar
    Erica Lasham

    Oh Nic, I am so sorry to hear about Shauna, Hugs to you & her family at this very sad time.

    Reply

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