This beautiful papercut saved me this week, and gave me a bit of strength when it was needed most. It was sent by one of my dear blog friends, Caro who writes The Twinkle Diaries. Please do check it out if you’ve never read it before as I think you’ll like what she does. This lady knows a lot about colour and style (and today, I’ve just noticed she has opened a lovely little shop on her blog too).
This gorgeous picture arrived on a day when I really needed a lift. I’d just helped Roger by packing up the things in his hospital room as he was all set to move to the hospice a few miles down the road. This led to tears, deep breaths, composure and more tears (mainly mine, and those some of the nurses who we know so well we call them friends). The move to the hospice is a very good thing, but I think it was just taking that step that made me lose it a little bit. So, after waving him off in an ambulance, I walked to the car and opened this package which I’d picked up from the post office a few hours earlier.
It’s such a special gift, and one which I can look at for years to come and remember the moment I opened it and the smile it gave me.
I may have had the worst week of my life, but I’ve also been surrounded by kindness from people all around me, from close friends and family to the so many lovely people I’ve met through blogging. I’ve been really touched by the massive reaction to my last post, and the comments from people I know well and those I’ve never met.
I’ve been left so many cards and gifts outside my front door it’s almost become a part of my daily routine to check behind the plant pots for cake and wine when I come home each day.
I could – and probably will – write a million posts about the random acts of kindness I’ve experienced in the past few weeks.
But for now, I just want to say a big thank you, and sit quietly and look at my beautiful picture. Words created for my husband – keep your face towards the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you. Love it.
X Julia
31 Comments
Notmyyearoff
April 14, 2015 at 8:10 pmHope everything is going well at the hospice and Roger is able to come home soon. That card is really beautiful. Am going to check her shop out, she us very talented x
Notmyyearoff recently posted…Silent Sunday & Project 52 – Week 15
Rainbeaubelle
April 14, 2015 at 9:00 pmThank you! Yes she is fab xx
Mrs H
April 14, 2015 at 8:27 pmDarling Julia, we all just want to help and sending little parcels in the post is the least we can do. Caro’s paper cutting is amazing. I am so pleased that it put a smile on your face on such an awful day. Massive love and hugs, Lucy (Mrs H) xxxx
Mrs H recently posted…50 things that make me happy
Julia
April 14, 2015 at 8:35 pmHi Julia, I’m not sure if you remember me that well from school! I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog, and how amazing you are. Over the last few weeks, your honesty and elegance in your words have been truly inspirational. I cannot imagine what you must be going through, but just to let you know after all these years how much I’m thinking if you x Julia (was Vickers) x
Rainbeaubelle
April 14, 2015 at 8:59 pmAh hi Julia! Yes of course I remember you, thank you for commenting that’s such a lovely thing to say! Hope you are ok. Lots of love xxx
Mini Travellers
April 14, 2015 at 8:40 pmtears are flowing reading this. I love the papercut and I love that it gave you a little lift when you needed it. I have typed and deleted and typed and deleted a comment, so will leave you with silence instead xxxx
Mini Travellers recently posted…Beauty and the Beast, Epstein Theatre
Rainbeaubelle
April 14, 2015 at 9:00 pmAwww, it was meant to be a happier post too! Hee hee. Lots of love xxxx
Gemma Murphy
April 14, 2015 at 8:52 pmI wish I was better at finding the right thing to say, that I had some words of wisdom to offer – I’m really sorry that I don’t. I think you are a remarkable lady and I’m sending you lots of love and hugs xxx
Rainbeaubelle
April 14, 2015 at 9:00 pmThanks Gemma, that is a lovely thing to say xxx
Lisa@intotheglade
April 14, 2015 at 8:54 pmA beautiful paper cut, she really is very talented. It is a lovely optimistic message. I hope things are a bit better at the hospice. Take care lovely xxx
Lisa@intotheglade recently posted…Pasta Arrabiata!
Rainbeaubelle
April 14, 2015 at 9:01 pmThank you. I had a good day yesterday so was due a bad one today! But hoping for another good one tomorrow xxx
Hayley Smith @hayleyfromhome
April 14, 2015 at 9:24 pmWhat a beautiful gift, Caro is so kind and talented, and it sounds like it came at just the right moment! I love that you will always remember that it gave you a smile on an awful day, sending love as always 🙂 xxx
Hayley Smith @hayleyfromhome recently posted…Living Arrows {15/52}
Rainbeaubelle
April 15, 2015 at 7:15 amThanks Hayley xxx
Katie Haydock
April 15, 2015 at 12:22 amThis gave me goose pimples. Much love xx xx
Rainbeaubelle
April 15, 2015 at 7:15 amAwww xxx
katy (what katy said)
April 15, 2015 at 6:45 amSo glad it came just at the right time. There are no words Julia, just hugs and love. xxx
katy (what katy said) recently posted…Our Seaside Themed Week
Rainbeaubelle
April 15, 2015 at 7:15 amThank you xxx
sarah christie
April 15, 2015 at 7:03 amWhat a beautiful gift, it is stunning. Julia all I can do right now is be here and send hugs you beautiful brave lady x
sarah christie recently posted…50 Things That Make Me Happy
Rainbeaubelle
April 15, 2015 at 7:15 amThanks Sarah xxx
You Baby Me Mummy
April 15, 2015 at 7:08 amI am so glad it arrived when you needed it most. It is beautiful. All my love, you are so strong xx
Rainbeaubelle
April 15, 2015 at 7:15 amAw thanks Aby. I’m just admiring it in my lounge now! X
Ninjacat
April 15, 2015 at 8:07 amMuch love to you x
Ninjacat recently posted…Win A World Map From Murals Wallpaper
Rainbeaubelle
April 15, 2015 at 8:30 amThank you xx
Sarah Doyle - let them be small
April 15, 2015 at 9:17 pmthis is one of my favourite quotes. I am glad it arrived at a time to bring you strength and support.
sending you much love x
Sarah Doyle – let them be small recently posted…Prints with Feelings
Cherry
April 15, 2015 at 10:19 pmJust amazed at the strength you are showing in these beautifully written posts, Jules – must be that Yorkshire grit! Have been thinking about you, Roger and your whole family so much over the last few weeks and will continue sending those wishes of love your way, Cherry xxx
mummyofboygirltwins
April 16, 2015 at 12:22 pmI’m so sad for you all right now 🙁 This gift was lovely, and I am glad it made you smile. Thinking of you always xx
mummyofboygirltwins recently posted…I felt my most beautiful on my wedding day
Caro | The Twinkles Mama
April 16, 2015 at 3:35 pmAaah sweetheart. I can’t tell you how humble — and emotional — this post makes me feel. I wanted so much to send something that would give you and Rog a bit of a lift… and something that you could just pop up on a shelf and not have to think about getting a frame for or think about.
I was keeping everything crossed that it wouldn’t break in the post either!! I was SO relieved when I got your message to say it had arrived safely. I don’t design new stuff that often these days — I just don’t have time — but designing something for you was an absolute pleasure. So glad it raised a smile. Love to you all xxxx
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
Caro | The Twinkles Mama recently posted…109 weeks and 1 day | Easter is #BetterWithCake
Jenna
April 16, 2015 at 3:43 pmIt really is a beautiful picture, I’m so glad it put a smile on your face. That Caro is alright, isn’t she?! 🙂
Thinking of you lovely.
Jenna at Tinyfootsteps xx
Jenna recently posted…Stream of consciousness….
Our rainbow portrait by Jenny Dunlop - Rainbeaubelle
April 19, 2015 at 7:37 am[…] shared with you last week the beautiful papercut made for me by my friend Caro. Well I think I’m going to have to clear some space on the […]
My week in pictures #9 - Rainbeaubelle
April 24, 2015 at 9:21 am[…] row, l-r – My gorgeous papercut from Caro at The Twinkle Diaries; a amazing gift from another blogger friend, Steph, who sent me a […]
June Blogger of the Month: Rainbeaubelle | Tots 100
June 25, 2015 at 9:00 am[…] I had children’ (we can totally sympathise with the fruit shoots scenario!), this one about friendships being such a source of support and this exceptionally powerful post that gives us all something to […]