Today was the day of our annual street market . The main street is closed to all traffic and the street is lined with stalls selling everything from divine cheeses to the most hideous stuffed toys . There is music , brass bands , jazz bands , guitarists ; there are jugglers , magicians . The smell of cooking ,hot dogs , burgers , Thai food and candy floss intermingles with heady aroma of the many pints of local ales and ciders being quaffed outside the pubs . All in all it is a very jolly occasion .
Several years ago Veronica and I were very involved with the organisation . One year there was a Spanish theme and Veronica designed and painted huge flats to adorn the entrance so it looked as though you were entering a Spanish village . She also organised the local school children to make and paint hundreds of large spiky suns with smiley faces to hang across the street instead of bunting . Our house was just full of smiley suns .
Funnily enough one of the organisers of this year's market came up to me in the street and confessed that when the suns were taken down she "stole" two of them and took them home where they still have pride of place in her kitchen .
Last year I took Veronica to the market in her wheel chair but she didn't enjoy it as she couldn't really see and she used to love pottering up and down the street finding treasures for giving as gifts to friends . But there was a salsa bad on the village green and I managed , I don't quite know how ,to get her and the wheel chair plus motor on the back up the steps onto the green . She enjoyed the music but enjoyed even more the annual tug of war between teams from the local pubs . Very fit young men , muscles rippling sweat dripping down bare torsos and being cheered on by the local lasses who seemed more inclined to encourage the blokes to strip off even more ,much to Veronica's delight .
This year I thought I should try to make the effort and go , after all it is just round the corner but it was not the same . I found it really difficult . The smells and sounds were the same - the stalls full of everything you don't need and people all out and about enjoying themselves in the sunshine ( it has been sunny in Devon today ) . But there was something missing well not "something" "someone" and whilst I made it from one end of the street to the other i was pleased to go back home . I doubt it can ever be quite the same but life goes on and next year ,who knows ,the street market will return as it does every year and maybe I can enjoy it once again .
Written by
Georgepa
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So poignant, George. As always with your posts - tears and laughter.
I feel I know Veronica and I remember you posting about you all enjoying the Last Night of The Proms. I know already that when I have the opportunity to go out I'm just really aware of the lack of Chris being there.
However, you can still treasure the many lovely memories. Not every one has had that relationship - there is a price to pay, isn't there ?
Hey Georgepa, wow - you've taken the time and trouble to write about the Street Market in the way you used to write about the Devonshire countryside and all it held. This was a huge step for you on the road to 'recovery' - it was a beautiful piece of writing. I know it was not the same this year but you made it through and next year will be a little easier, though, as you say, never quite the same. Veronica is and always will be in your heart wherever you go so you are not totally alone. Many, many thoughts to you and Kate - Jingles x
Another wonderful description George. I sincerely hope you can enjoy life again soon. I'm staying with an 87 year old relative in Canada. This day 45 years ago I married the love of my life. He died 2 months after our 44th. So many wonderful years together when we were hardly ever apart but I have filled the past 9 months with so many exciting things I can honestly say, I am enjoying life again, way out of my comfort zone, challenging myself doing things I never dreamt I could. I still talk to my darling and wish he was here with me but I would never be doing the things I am if he was. If I could choose, I'd choose life with him but I can't so it's just me, doing what I want when I want. A funny thing happened on Sunday. Jean wanted me to take her to church. They stuck an embroidered red rose on my tshirt when I went in so folk knew I was visiting. After the very short service we went in the hall of home made lemonade and a man came up to me, said hello and started to chat. I never told him I was a widow but Jean may have done. He asked me if I was looking for a husband, he was married but he had several friends who had lost their wives and were looking for another. I laughed and said definitely not, being single is not what I had chosen, or wanted but I am enjoying my new life.
Sending you a big hug George. I hope the car offer is taken up soon.
Hun I know how you feel... I think the 1st year is the hardest it's all the firsts I have now had all the firsts without Brian Christmas birthday anniversary etc.. now it's only a few weeks and it will be a year since Brian has passed (don't seem that long).
Next year you will probably be so glad to go to the street market..... I am enjoying doing the things I couldn't do and yet avoiding a lot of the things I was able to do... strange.At least you made the effort and went.
Dear George, I think you are very brave to face going to the local event so soon after losing your lovely soulmate, I admire that you had he courage to face the world although it must have been so difficult. Maybe next year you can be involved in the organising to honour Veronica, I'm sure she would be delighted.
Aww Georgepa your wonderful style of writing made me feel like I was there! What I will say to you is this, well bloody done for going along, I call that progress. Obviously life will never be the same but you my darling done well, very well indeed!! Strangely life does go on, and somehow we have to plod on, don't ask me how but we just have too. Perhaps next year a few of us could come down and rent a cottage and join you? Sounds like a great plan....I love Devon and would love to meet you too!! Hugs darling x
I afraid life does go on and no, nothing is going to feel the same. Whilst, of course you have to do things that you would have gone with Veronica. Now as Bev has said, it's time to find things that you want to do, new experiences, new memories, a new life.
This won't happen overnight, it takes that horrible word "TIME!".
Just reiterating what everyone else has said, lovely writing Georgepa. I'm sure it wasn't an easy thing to do going on your own, especially as you and Veronica were so involved in previous years, but you did it, brilliant. I do hope you get to enjoy the street market again. Lots of love Nanny857 xx
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