Loss

Christmas balloons for daddy

Balloons on Red Rocks http://rainbeaubelle.com

Balloons on Red Rocks http://rainbeaubelle.com

On the day of Roger’s funeral, when the service was over and we were in the sunny garden of the hotel where we held his wake, Sam, Florence and their cousin Ava let go of a balloon each in his memory. Those balloons were a symbol for our children that they were giving something to their dad, that they could still reach him and that he was out there, looking after them somewhere and somehow.

I wrote at the time – last August – that I hoped we could make it a regular thing, a ceremony for the kids to send a balloon up to dad on special occasions like Christmas and on his birthday.

A few days before Christmas we bought some red helium balloons and made our way down to the beach near our house. It was a gorgeous bright, crisp winter’s day but as usual for our part of the world, it was windy! So windy that the balloons kept blowing in front of Sam and Flo’s faces while I tried to take their photo, and in front of mine too when I tried to get into shot.

Balloons at Red Rocks http://rainbeaubelle.com

Setting balloons free http://rainbeaubelle.com

I took my new tripod down and set it up on the sand at Red Rocks but even that blew over a couple of times, the wind was so strong. Still, it was a lovely calm moment with just the three of us, where we could hole our balloons up high and say ‘Happy Christmas Daddy, these are for you!’ before setting them free above our heads.

It’s really such a happy thing to do and feels like a special little ritual for us all. Their faces when the balloons flew away were a picture, and there really is no better place to be to do this than down on this section of quiet, beautiful beach.

As for the rock carving, well I didn’t do it but it’s nearly a match for Rog, don’t you think?

x Julia

Sam on the beach http://rainbeaubelle.com

Balloons on beach http://rainbeaubelle.com

Setting balloons free http://rainbeaubell.com

Rock carvings

Me and Flo at Red Rocks http://rainbeaubelle.com

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17 Comments

  • Reply
    Donna
    January 13, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    This is just so lovely x
    Donna recently posted…Review: Ravensburger Paw Patrol Shaped PuzzlesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tim
    January 13, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    What a lovely idea! Just beautiful, from both a visual and a symbolic perspective.
    Tim recently posted…A David Bowie tribute: Kids In Cars (to the tune of Life On Mars)My Profile

  • Reply
    mummyofboygirltwins
    January 13, 2016 at 7:28 pm

    Lovely post – and so beautiful photographed and told, as always. Hugs xx
    mummyofboygirltwins recently posted…4 stylish Mums to follow on social mediaMy Profile

  • Reply
    Hayley (@hayleyfromhome)
    January 13, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    You were obviously meant to be in that spot! I love this idea, it’s something you’ll be able to do whenever you feel like you want to and Sam and Flo must love it. Looks like such a beautiful spot to send them off, lovely photos xx
    Hayley (@hayleyfromhome) recently posted…Wild OnesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tracey Williams
    January 13, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    What beautiful memories and photos for you all. Hugs xxxx
    Tracey Williams recently posted…Planning our Centerparcs ActivitiesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Beth @ Twinderelmo
    January 14, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    We send Granny a balloon on her birthday or the kids birthdays so she can be part of the day. Charlie always wants to put some cake or a present on the string for her which has proven impossible but he always asks later on if she will have gotten it yet. Such a lovely thing for them to do
    Much love xxxxx
    Beth @ Twinderelmo recently posted…Places Not To Take a Double PushchairMy Profile

  • Reply
    Katie @mummydaddyme
    January 14, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    That is beautiful Julia, such a wonderful thing to do and a tradition that you most definitely should keep. Thinking of you. x

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 15, 2016 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks Katie – we will keep it up I am sure. It really is a lovely moment where we can all have a bit of reflection – and fun! x

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 17, 2016 at 8:33 am

      Thanks Katie, I really hope we carry on it just feels so special xx

  • Reply
    #TotsGoodReads Bloggers knowing their worth and and valuing what matters | Tots 100
    January 15, 2016 at 7:51 am

    […] I wrote at the time – last August – that I hoped we could make it a regular thing, a ceremony for the kids to send a balloon up to dad on special occasions like Christmas and on his birthday. Read more from Rainbeaubelle here. […]

  • Reply
    Mackenzie Glanville
    January 16, 2016 at 10:29 am

    Just beautiful honey xx
    Mackenzie Glanville recently posted…be gratefulMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 17, 2016 at 8:32 am

      Thanks Mackenzie xx

  • Reply
    Lisa@intotheglade
    January 16, 2016 at 10:13 pm

    Such a lovely lovely thing to do Juila. I bet the children do it forever and ever! How lovely to stumble across the carving too xxx
    Lisa@intotheglade recently posted…Five under £5My Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 17, 2016 at 8:31 am

      I really hope they do, it would be so nice if they carried it on when they were grown up too wouldn’t it? xx

  • Reply
    Hannah
    January 17, 2016 at 9:39 am

    What a beautiful thing to do, thinking of you xx
    Hannah recently posted…{The Ordinary Moments 16} #3 ‘Take a Photo With My Eyes Closed Mummy’My Profile

  • Reply
    Hannah
    January 18, 2016 at 2:06 pm

    So beautiful, it sure is blowy on the coast this time of year, it’s made for some photos to look back and smile at that’s for sure! Lots of love from us in Cornwall to your family x
    Hannah recently posted…Five Under £5 JanuaryMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too
    January 18, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Such a lovely way to remember him on special occasions
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