Well April 3rd was an amazing day in a number of ways. Sad but also so happy. Nina has done this now on a truly Global scale - again she caused a gathering of friends from around the world, Singapore, UK, USA, Japan, Yemen, Europe and of course multiple locations in UK.
Above is a snapshot of some of the moments, truly just snapshots. I hope others may share thier photo moments as well and I'll update the blog. As usual scatter brain Kennett did not think to take his camera, so again reliant on others to furnish the pictorial memories of the day.
My wonderful Sister-in-law, Haruchan, had just the worst trip to get there. Fires at Heathrow causing a re-direct to Gatwick, and then an estranged call from her from on the plane with no idea of new landing time at Heathrow to be with us. My poor Sis missed the actual internment because of that and yours truly had to perform some improv which I hope was well received by all (I have to admit the "support" I got from Amy made it a lot easier for me - thank Amy love!). We then held version #2 with Haruchan, Eddie and the girls + family when they arrived. Poor loves, but I have to say both were wonderful and Naochan would have been so proud, albeit still we should not be there! As my sister says below goodbye is just too soon, not right and too unfair!
I hope you don't mind Haruchan, but I want to put your words here for all those that did not come for the second gathering at Ni's internment. Wonderful words my darling, thank you so much.
"Good afternoon everyone, Brian, Oliver, Amy, Mama, Papa, family and friends who have come from around London, and those who have traveled across oceans.
A warm, warm welcome to you from the bottom of my heart.
We understand that this trip was not an easy one to make. This trip has been a journey of grief and coping of 14 months to this day. If we have made it to this day it is because love oprevailed. We love Nina, the mother of two beautiful children, wife, daughter, aunt, sister and absolutely precious friend to all.
A good-bye is too soon, not right and too unfair.
Shortly, Nina's ashes, carried in the arms of her family all the way from Singapore, will be laid to rest here, nest to her brother, in the town she considers home. But this may not represent all that she was. Naoko is a living person as we remember her, in each of her hearts. In that way she has been inside us all along.
Please make today a day of rebirth, a renewal of your ties with Nina. Keep in touch, to help her children remember who their mother was as they grow up. Also please renew your love and friendship with each other today, become new friends, so that my Sister's legacy of bringing people together lives on. Nina, you are the honorable guest of this party today, and being the party girl that you are, I have a feeling that you don't mind us all being here right now.
May I now pass the torch to Nina's dear husband, Brian Kennett, the man who has made this gathering happen, flew across thousands of miles with their children to deliver Nina's wishes to be brought back home. How far you had to come to be here today. And thank you for making it possible for all of us to be here. Brian please say a few words ......"
Wow Sis - just BEAUTIFUL, thank you again so so much! You made us all so proud!
So what did it look like. Well to be honest at the moment some grass is all there is for the girl. I finalised the Headstone design whilst there, so that should be with us in 14-16 weeks they said. We shall see. I hope that does Naochan proud, but hey it is still after all a lump of stone - not how we all remember her.
I have included some photos now of the wonderful flowers you all gave. Just beautiful, thank you so much. I love the family shot, just look at that brother and sister love fest going on, bless them. And the final one is the wee one lending a helping hand to keep Mummy's flowers fresh.
And then after that we had time for family all over the country, from wonderful Sunday lunches to frizby in my Mum's back garden - again some limited shots here due to yours truly AGAIN not having camera ready - dear me. So again this will be augmented as and when I get chance to add some other's photos.
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