WELCOME TO WIDOWED WORLD

24 October 2009

Greetings,

Forever the advocate of keeping a journal it was somewhat surprising to realise that I haven’t written in mine for several months or even thought about it! This above all else has helped me perceive just how far I’ve progressed from those early days of  bereavement when journal writing helped keep me sane and filled many sleepless hours.

I seldom re-read anything I wrote, the sheer relief of getting thoughts and emotions down on paper being sufficient, but through that process I gradually came to terms with the drastic changes in my circumstances, learned a lot more about myself both positive and negative and began to carve a path for the future.

Right now it’s possible to say that there is very little stress in my life but when challenging situations do occur, I have the tranquillity, tolerance, clarity of mind and quality time to deal with them.  For example, recently I took my bank to task by sending a letter recorded delivery to the Chief Executive and that resulted in changes to their web pages for the benefit of many customers. Totally unexpectedly and by way of a thank you I received a very nice food hamper plus a follow-up ‘phone call from a senior executive to enquire if I was satisfied with the way my complaint had been handled.

More recently, unsatisfied and very frustrated with the service given for repairing a computer under warranty, I again sent a recorded delivery letter, this time addressing it to the ‘Country General Manager’ and listing a trail of disaster but ending with a humorous poem – we’re all human! Lo and behold, my computer is now having preferential treatment and I’m assured that I’ve been allocated a ‘Complaints Officer’ who will ensure that when my computer is returned for the fourth time it will be in full working order.

A few years ago these situations would have left me exhausted and I’d have ignored them rather than rise to the challenge but now, when I really feel service is not up to standard, I do the research necessary to get my letters to the people who need to read them and believe me, that can take some time. The lesson learned is that assertiveness is far more likely to result in at least a win-win situation rather than an aggressive stance that simply piles on the stress for everyone involved. I ask myself how many more lessons do I still have to learn.

The ‘Christmas Shoebox’ season is now upon us and this year, aided by many supporters, we aim to exceed the twenty five boxes destined for Eastern Europe last year. Believe it or not, the empty shoeboxes can be the hardest to come by but from now on we have a ready supply guaranteed by a local surgical shoe distributor. One afternoon next week the village doors will be open to anyone who’d like to join us and we’ll spend a pleasant afternoon together with several young people from Romania, ensuring that some poverty stricken families have a ‘square stocking’ to unwrap and enjoy on Christmas Day.

Make the most of all that autumn has to offer – chestnuts for roasting now in the shops!

Jacquie

PS      We exceeded last year’s total of Christmas Shoeboxes by five bringing the record to thirty and I’ve received a telephone call telling me my ailing laptop computer is to be replaced, with preservation of warranty!