Archives for June 2009

And this is the letter Shona left for Iona.

My darling, darling Iona.

If you are reading this it means I did not make it down the aisle and I am sorry for keeping secrets from you. I was going to tell you that I was sick after the wedding but I wanted you to enjoy the day first.

I wanted to see you on my wedding day just as you've always been throughout my life - a shining jewel in an all too often grey world. Please forgive me for not saying goodbye properly and promise me that every time you think of me you will share one of those big beautiful smiles with the world.

Writing this, thinking of you, I can't keep the smile off my face. Whether it's the nonsense you got up to as a kid or the scrapes you got me into when we were both old enough to know better, you've always made me laugh. And now, when I am sad that we won't share any more laughs, the thought of that cheeky grin of yours won't allow me to be miserable.

The years never seemed to age you and having you around helped me stay young. Peter Pan could learn a thing or two from you. Okay, sometimes your behaviour got too much for me, but even as I was telling you to cut it out I was thanking God for putting you in my life.

Keep smiling, Iona. Keep laughing and keep loving.

I always have and I always will love you, Iona. Thanks for letting me share your life.

Your loving sister.

Shona.

I thought you'd like to read Shona's parting letters in full. This is what she wrote to Raymond.



My dearest Raymond,

How can I begin this letter knowing it means our time together is over?

Raymond, I'm sorry. So sorry to be leaving you this soon. But I now know they are right when they say it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. I have always loved you. And I always will. Maybe this complete happiness is the sign that my time has come. Finally sorting things out with you made my life complete. What we have now couldn't get any better. It's perfect. But, Raymond, you have to know - wherever I go, wherever you go - my heart will always be with you.

I don't want tears. My funeral should be a celebration of my life. No dreary black coats and ties, I want people to wear their most beautiful clothes, to dress like they are going to the best party ever. Tell everybody if they feel a tear coming on just to think back to a good time they had with me - a giggle we enjoyed together. Remember to have a laugh yourself. And I want to be buried with my family on Barra. Beside Nanny and Pappa.

Promise me that you won't let your life end with mine. I want you to go out and show the rest of the world the Raymond that I know. Full of love, compassion, life. I am so proud of you. Now be proud of yourself.

Thanks for making me the happiest woman in the world.

Yours forever

Shona