Goodbye old world

Some 35 years ago I married a British lady who had immigrated to the States to teach, and then on to Montreal, where I met her. She would travel back to the “old country” at least twice a year to see her parents in York first, and then Somerset. I eventually went with her and, as I have had a lifelong love of cathedrals, castles, steam trains and the RAF, I was in my glory.

Sadly, in June 2017 I lost her to cancer and my world turned upside down, and is still in that same state today. I cared for my wife until the end.

In one of the recent past issues I came across a poem entitled “Goodbye Old World” or something similar, and the poet could have been me. If you read between the lines, which I did, it was about my involvement with my wife and my life and how the world goes on regardless. It helped to keep me going but I shed a lot of tears.

In the August issue there is another poem (The Transition – page 32) which hit home as well. On first read I again shed many tears, as I do when I watch videos of “Jerusalem” being sung by choirs.

I would like to go back to England one day soon, to visit the things I love, but don’t know if I will. The only family I now have are my two cats and two rabbits, but reading “This England” will always be a part of my England.

Please keep up the good work with the magazine.