A THANK YOU AND A TRIBUTE

This Blog is dedicated to the last Welsh martyr, St David Lewis, so I don't want it to stray far from our beloved Saint or to become personal. However, as you all know, I have been away for two months because several members of my close family were seriously ill. You have all been so kind and given me so much support that this post is to say "THANK YOU" to all of you and to pay tribute to my dear brothers and my wonderful family.

Even though I thought that the pride and love I felt for my large family could not be greater, I was wrong. It has increased with every day of the last two months as I watched them all, from the oldest to the youngest, support and help each other as two brothers were travelling their final journeys at the same time. At first, they were both in the same hospital and the family made its way between fourth and seventh floors to visit and comfort them. Later, as one brother was moved to Palliative care in another hospital, the love was carried back and forth between the two hospitals. Finally, on the morning of Friday, 14th May, my eldest brother, Bill, went to God with the prayers and blessings of the Church, and with his wife and children at his side. The next afternoon, Saturday, 15th May, my second eldest brother, John, also with the Church's prayers and blessings and his family at his side, went to meet his Lord. They had never moved far from the family home and for most of their married lives the two brothers lived next door to each other, one at number 19 and the other at number 21. Years ago, when any reluctance was shown at 'Family Rosary' time, my dear Dad was fond of quoting Fr Peyton, "The family that prays together stays together". I suppose that living so close together and then dying so close together proves my Dad right!

The neighbours made sure that everyone was well fed and sandwiches, cakes, cooked hams and turkeys were in abundance. The support of friends, neighbours and childhood friends, some of whom we hadn't seen since school days, was overwhelming. They turned out for the wakes and funerals in their hundreds!

And you, my loyal Blogging friends, you have been marvellous! Your supportive comments and your prayers have been a great blessing and I am grateful to all of you.

My eldest brother, Bill, made Rosary Beads and donated them all around the world. He sent them to Missions in Africa, India and South America, as well as to Primary Schools and Prisons in Wales. John also had a great devotion to the Rosary and his favourite hymn was "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman". As a small "THANK YOU" to everyone and as a tribute to my gorgeous big brothers, (who probably spoiled me rotten!) I am posting this lovely song. To all of you, family, friends, neighbours and blogging friends, I say a heartfelt thank you and wish you blessings galore. May your kindness be returned a hundred fold!