'Navidad de Verano'

I've rather neglected my blog in recent weeks and I attribute this to some rather excellent memory making and living in the moment distractions! 

This Summer has seen me learn a lot about living with the effects of treatment, and I will blog about this separately and reserve this post for reminiscing on my recent trip to Spain.

Cake made by Tina - Matina Cookies

My trip to Spain this July will be fondly known as my 'Navidad de verano', my 'Christmas  in summer time' ....aptly named for the warm welcome when I arrived at My Aunty Margaret and Uncle George's house in Tarragona and then a 'progress' of family catch ups and times that perhaps are ' usually' reserved for the festive period.

Felipe, Jordi,Montse,Ana, Carolina i Yo!

The house in Tarragona had been my home for over a year when I was 15 following the death of my parents.... It was a pretty tough time after my mother died, but I have so many wonderful memories of my time in Spain that year and going back felt  special and it satisfied the nostalgic tendencies that cancer seems to have manifested within me.

On arriving,  I saw that the table had been beautifully adorned, in 'my honour' for a family meal, with starched table linen, set with the Wedgwood dinner service, silver cutlery and crystal glasses. The only things missing were the Christmas crackers!!!

My 'Spanish' family run English Summer SA Language Camps in Spain; , and my visit was in the midst of their busiest time, so I was not expecting all of my cousins and their partners to 'down tools' and welcome me in such a way.  I'm pleased that in some way, my visit was responsible for a rare family Fleix-Wright get together in Summer time!! In fact it was my cousin Felipe that declared the event as 'Navidad de verano' ! As the special guest , I also had pride of place next to my uncle George! 

This pretty much set the scene for the entire week long trip, and I was equally spoilt with time by the Jacas - Osborn branch of my family. My cousin Elizabeth and I spent a lot of time together that week and with that I learned that 'talking a lot' was a family trait!! Lluis, her husband as welcoming as always, was intent on feeding me up!!

Ana, Tina, Elizabath and Lluis- Family Jacas

I also met Ana and Tina's children for the first time and how lovely it was to see the cousins that I had once 'baby sat', happy with their own children. Just one more '3rd cousin' to meet now Vikki ... Let's make that happen soon xx

Elizabeth and I visited Vallclara, a small village in the mountains where I spent a lot of time as a youngster and is one of my most favourite places in the whole world.

My parents are both buried there in a small spanish cemetery, at the top of the valley looking down on the village itself. It comforts me knowing that they are at peace in such a special place alongside Nanna Wright and Elizabeth and Lluis's son, Daniel, who died from cancer age 6. 

Unexpected encounter with an old friend Bruno!!!

The last time I visited  Spain was 3 years ago for my Aunty and Uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary, well before my diagnosis and so was very much over due a visit. 

Uncle George has been living with cancer for over 10 years and our 'common ground' enabled us to relate and exchange 'grotty' chemo stories . He has been having chemo treatments since he was diagnosed and I'm proud to say, like most of 'us' that have not had a choice but to live with illnesses,  Uncle George  has not let the effects of the treatment, limit him more than it needs to!

Uncle George was not well during my visit and not even Aunty Margaret's exasperated concern for his solo 'outing', to 'Prades' one day, stopped him from 'taking to the road in his car' and enjoy the 'release' that driving gives him!

In this story, inspiration also exists in the unconditional commitment shown by Aunty Margaret to her husbands care and well being. I experienced this exemplary care first hand during my stay and I have been missing my daily dose of freshly squeezed orange juice each morning since my return home.

The effects of treatment on 'carers' generally and their needs  are overlooked and impact on their lives are underestimated. Whilst most carers don't to seek gratitude, their endeavours are worthy of a massive shout out! (Macmillan carers blog) 

It is any wonder with people like this in my life that I have embraced my cancer challenge in the way that I have.

Aunty Margaret and Uncle George