Summer holidays, exam results and sad times

The summer of 2013 was a mixed one for me.  My last post talked about the stress of having two boys on study leaving revising for GCSEs and A levels.  Well, turned out it was worth the stress with both boys doing extremely well.

Eldest Son's last few events at school were tinged with sadness.  After eight years at the school, he was finally leaving those school gates behind.

By the end of August the good news rolled in for both of them and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief.  Our big boy - the one who made us laugh every day was on his way into the big wide world.  (Well, Exeter University to be precise!).  We couldn't have been more proud.

Younger Son did really well in his GCSEs and began to look forward not only to his first festival (Yo Reading and Leeds) but to Sixth Form where he could discover just exactly what girls' banter is really like.

Our wonderful holiday in hot Rome and Tuscany late July was marred by the death of my eldest brother Jon.  Although this had always been on the cards since his diagnosis, it doesn't make it any easier.  I am so glad for the wonderful week I spent with him in June saying my goodbyes.  I did the same thing sixteen years ago with my father.  Never underestimate the chance to do this.  With my mother who died four years ago there was no warning, just a phone call in the middle of the night to say she'd died of a heart attack.  Cherish the time with your family and loved ones, no matter how much they irritate you.