Tuesday 20 September 2011

Very sad news



Hello


Unfortunately this is not a pleasant blog post but it would seem that some people have heard already and, I thought it only fair that this came direct from me rather than 2nd hand rumors.

Sadly I need to tell you that my husband Mick died unexpectedly on Saturday September 11th.

He was out riding his motorcycle and had a heart attack. He told a friend he didn't feel good and was on his way home. He had been working away in the San Francisco area with his new job for the previous 2 weeks so I hadn't seen him. He flew in late Friday night, was tired and went to bed quickly. I only saw him for less than half an hour on the morning he died.

He felt fine. He only planned on being out a couple of hours and was then was coming back to do some dry walling. I was painting when the police man and coroner knocked on my door.

In those few moments my life changed beyond belief.

Last week I was busy dealing with the funeral arrangements so am sorry this has taken me until now.

Because I am here on my own and have no friends in the new area, my dear friend Patti flew straight out to me from the east coast. I truly do not know what I'd have done without her. I love you Patti.

I plan on returning to England as soon as possible. I came here to live in America 8 years ago to be with Mick and for that reason only. I have no one here and it would hurt to much to stay.

I have loved living in America and Mick took me to see so many amazing things. Hopefully one day I will be able to get past the pain and come and visit again.

But for now I have to get home. Mick's Mom is not in good health and has been unable to come here which has broke her heart. I have to get what I need to do here done as quickly as I can and take her Son home to her.

As you all know we were in the middle of renovating our house so I have so much work to finish so I can put it up for sale. Most of our things were still in boxes as we didn't plan on unpacking until we finished the house. Now Patti has gone home I have to go though everything we own and figure out how to sell it.

Mick was a wonderful man. He was kind, thoughtful, generous and extremely non judgmental. I am so lucky to have had him as my best friend for 30 years.

The things I keep hearing over and over from his friends are how thoughtful he was, how intelligent and knowledgeable he was and what a sense of humor he had. Mick was so much fun to be around and will be missed by many, many people.

Mick loved his job working on life support ventilators. He would tell me how lucky he was to not only have a job where he was able to help so many people but how it combined his love of physics, biology, chemistry and medicine. And the more problems that were thrown at him the more he thrived.

He once visited an 8 year old girl who, although on a ventilator, was mobile. She loved the band N- Sync but was sad that she couldn’t dance because the tubes on the ventilator weren’t long enough. Mick custom made new, longer tubing for her so she could get up of the bed and dance.

If you asked him why he loved his job so much he would say it was ‘because he was able to let little girls dance again.’

I loved him so very, very much and am absolutely devastated so please understand that I may not answer emails for a while.

Please. please, please tell your family you love them each time you are saying goodbye.




Mick Woodward
March 5th 1960 - September 10th 2011


77 comments:

  1. Oh, Jayne, I'm so very sorry. I can't imagine the pain you are feeling now but please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
    Deana

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  2. Jayne, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you loving thoughts and hugs.

    Victoria

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  3. Соболезную. Крепитесь!

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  4. all that i can do is send a big (((hug))) from here.... :) Linda x

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  5. Jayne, I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts, stay strong!

    Victoria.

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  6. I am so sorry to hear you very sad news Jayne. Mick sounds like he was a wonderful man. My thoughts and sincere sympathy to you for strength at this time. Hugs, Jean

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  7. I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds as though you have some beautiful memories, and I hope they help you through this sad time.

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  8. Jayne,

    I feel with you , you are in my thought.

    Karin

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  9. Jayne, How dreadful! I am so sorry to read about your loss and send you my deepest sympathy. Mick sounds like he was wonderful.

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  10. My heart aches for your loss. Thoughts with you and a warm hug.

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  11. Jayne , very sorry to hear about your husband. My thoughts are with you. Jain

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  12. My thoughts are with you and all I can do is sending you warm hugs. Jeannette

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  13. I am so, so sorry. My thoughts are with you. Hugs, Teresa

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  14. words just dont seem enough jayne , just so sad for you .
    love julie x

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  15. Jayne, I am so sorry to hear this sad news, words just can't say enough, my thoughts are with you.
    Love Julia xx

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  16. Jayne, I am so very sorry for your loss - my heart goes out to you. What a very brave post as well - I am sat here with tears rolling down. I wish I could come out and help you. You have shown incredible strength. xx

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  17. Oh darling, I am so sorry for the irreparable loss suffered by you...
    I wish you the strenght to go on.
    A warm hug, Paloma

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  18. Jayne,
    There are no words that can help at this terrible time but I have to say that I am so very sorry and that you are in my thoughts and my prayers.
    Mags
    x

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  19. oh Jayne... such sad news, my heart goes out to you, maybe even more so having seen how you two were together, he was such a sweet and funny guy. If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know and I'll be on the next plane over!!! (((hugs))) x

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  20. Oh Jayne you poor darling. Im so so sorry. Love and so many big hugs for you, what devastating news. I follow your words and tell John just how much I love him every time he goes out on his motorbike, and our children too. You never know what life has planned for you. To lose such a wonderful loving and fun, kind husband must be beyond unbearable. Kate xxxxxxxx

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  21. My Dear Jayne,
    I am at a loss for words. Sorry doesn't somehow seem to be enough, yet, right now, it seems to be all I have. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss and pray for the strength you will need to get through the next few days and months. Much love, many hugs,
    Susan

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  22. My dear Jayne, I am so sorry............gosh I cannot find any words. In honour of your husbands passing I promise to phone mine and tell him I love him. I don't have a passport or any money but if you need me just let me know and I'll find a way to get to you!!!The only thing I can say is cherish all the moments you had together. To have loved and to be loved is so precious. Even though he's passing was sudden at least you had each other and were in love :-) thats something to be happy about. I hope as the months go by things get easier for you, as at the moment you must feel so sad, angry, empty. But I promise you thing will get better, not the same but easier. We are all here for you XXXXXXXXx love you loads Kat xxxxxxx

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  23. Such sad news Jayne. Written by a truly loving and brave soul. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you.

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  24. Dear Jayne,
    I am so sorry to hear of Mick's death. What a terrible shock for you. Sending you loving thoughts, and know that we are all thinking about you and are here if you need us..Lots of Love Debbie x

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  25. So very sorry to read of the loss of your husband. He sounds like a dear man. And you sound so strong and brave. How wonderful that your friend could come right out to be with you. You are truely blessed to have her. I pray all goes smoothly for you so you may return home to be with family and friends soon.

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  26. we would not ever read this devastating news on blogs, which are our most fun in life .. but unfortunately terrible things happen.
    what happened to you, is the most abhorrent thing, because now you stay alone, and you seem to have lost everything.
    now empty, around you, the land sinks.
    but the days are coming, which absorbs the sorrow, and slowly, you will be able to stand your life without Mick.
    I understand your pain, there is consolation in this terrible loss.
    Mick was a good man, an extraordinary person, how could it be otherwise, if he could have dancing girls?
    Your pain is deep, but what you keep for yourself will be only the best memories, and you think that you were lucky to get close to someone so special, for 30 years!
    The frustration you feel when you're not images that your love do not come home today ... you wanted to say goodbye.
    but no one can imagine what is going to happen! unfortunately take for granted every day of our lives.
    but I'm sure he certainly knew that you loved him, there is no need to say before him go away. he knows ... and I'm sure he thought of you in the last moments of his life, and have said "I love you Jayne" ...
    He is with you, will always be with you!
    I embrace you strong, and I will pray for you and Mick, this evening.
    my most sweet and tender kisses for you.

    xxxxxxxx Caterina, from Italy

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  27. Dear Jayne
    I'm sorry to hear that you lost your beloved husband. I think it's nice of you to you as openly tell us how it happened and what you are now undergoing.
    I am glad that your friend has come to be with you, so you are not alone in this difficult time.
    Many hugs and thoughts from Eva in Denmark

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  28. I wish I had wise words of wisdom, or at least something profound....but no. There are no words.It never makes sense, and I know you are left feeling numb. I pray that you can go home quickly, for that is where you will start to heal. sending prayers to you, dear Jayne....and all the family....xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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  29. Oh Jayne, I am so sorry to read your very sad news. I send you my sincere sympathy and wish you much strength.
    Warmest wishes, Josje

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  30. Jayne, I'm beyond words. Nothing can be said when life changes so abruptly. Nothing can be said to fill the void which you feel now. I know that through experience. Please, accept my deepest , warmest simpathy . May you coming back to England ease your suffering and don't stay alone.
    Hugs and thoughts from my heart, Rosanna

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  31. Jayne,
    I'm so sorry for you! Mick must've been a wonderful man. I can't imagine the devastation you must be feeling. Good luck on finishing the house and the move back home. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Hugs,
    Lainie

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  32. Jayne, I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sure he knew how you love him. And sure he will be nearest you, beside you always. They will never go, they are always beside us. Yours are the memories and one day you could smile remembering him.
    I will be praying for you and your family.
    Big hugs and loving thoughts from heart to heart, Maru

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  33. Dear, I read this post with great sadness, every word makes me tremble the heart and awakens my deepest fears, because I am a wife and mother, and although I try to drive out bad thoughts, I know that death awaits us all. ..
    When I greet my husband on the front door, I often think about how we spent the last hour, and I have never met: the time wasted on useless things below ...
    I recently confided to him this thought, and he, you know what he said to me?
    "Flora, if we lived every moment of our lives with the awareness of death, we would not live at all. The very nature keeps us away from this thinking, to enable us to live lightly."
    Moreover, my father died a few years ago to cancer, had 75 years, and was married to my mother for 50 years. My mother told me that they had often talked of death and, of course, especially in the last months of Dad's life; despite this, she did not feel prepared. We are never prepared. At most, we are resigned to our inevitable destiny.
    I do not know what else to say. The next few days, weeks and months will be tough, but I'm sure you will find within yourself the resources to cope and keep in your heart, as the most precious thing, the love and the sweet smile of your husband.
    I hope it gets to you, my warm embrace,
    Flora

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  34. What can I say....not to much, just to send a hug and all my love.

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  35. Jayne- I am so very sorry. I am lucky to have met Mick when you came to Minnesota and I am so glad that I did. I could see and feel the love he had for you-and you for him. I wish I could wrap you in my arms and hug you so hard and never let go. Please know that I am sending you love and if there is anything I can do- even just an ear to listen- I will gladly do so.

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  36. I am so sorry to hear about your loss Jayne. Sending you (((Hugs))) and keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  37. Oh hun! I wish I could hug you! .....giving a little girl once more chance to dance- Now that's a real Man for you! Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it! I wish I had the right words for you, but I'm not sure if there is any! If you need anything, we're here! We're always here! BIG HUG!

    Katie
    from Katie's Clay Corner

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  38. I am very sorry for your loss, Jane. It is hard to find the right words for you, so I keep you in my prayers. Hugs

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  39. I'm so sorry to read about your loss. Your husband sounded like a wonderful man. I hope you manage to sort out your house and get back home to the UK very soon x

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  40. Oh my special friend, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember that story about the little girl, you told it me when we went on our little road trip. Sending all my love from accross the miles. I wish I could do more for you. I too hope you manage to get everything sorted and get back soon.
    Love you lots.

    Debie xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  41. Jayne, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm keeping you in my thoughts, stay strong!

    Hugs
    Gaye

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  42. Jayne, I am so so sorry to hear about Mick's passing. Just from the way you have talked about him in the past I know he was an incredible person and the love of your life. I will be saying a prayer for you and your whole family in this time. Many hugs, Ara

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  43. Jayne, I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I wish you the strenght to go on.

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  44. Jayne I am deeply saddened to hear this. I wish I had the words..but there just are none. You are in my thoughts -April

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  45. Dear Jayne,

    There are not enough words to say how tragic and sad this is. I know from you what have told me what a fabulous man and husband Mick was and I can only imagine what you must be feeling and thinking right now. My thoughts are with you and hope everything that can be sorted out is done as quickly as possible so you can be home with your family.

    I've sent you an email.
    Thinking of you and your family,
    Michelle xxxxxxx

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  46. What a wonderful tribute you wrote. Thinking of you and your family in this time of sadness. Such a big upheaval but praying that it all goes well with you in your move and adjustment.

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  47. I too don't have the words to say how sorry I am. This has really shocked me.

    Tom

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  48. Dearest Jayne,
    Words cannot convey how sorry I am to read about Mick's passing. I'm just shattered. If there is anything, and I mean anything we can do to help you before or after you go back home, please do not hesitate to ask.
    Love always, Kat xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  49. So so very sorry for your loss.

    You have been on my mind as of late, now I know why.

    My heart goes out to you.

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  50. Dearest Jayne,

    I was so sad and sorry to read this post....my thoughts are with you.

    Linda x

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  51. So sorry for your loss. Tragic news with no words to put to these days of sadness. A good and wonderful man.
    My heart and thoughts are with you
    all my love goes to you at this sad time
    Joolz
    xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  52. Very sorry for your loss Jayne.

    Paul

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  53. Oh, dear Jayne, this is devastating news. I am so very sorry. Mick sounds like the most wonderful man. You must be overwhelmed with grief at the loss of your life partner. I send you all my love. I pray that you will be supported and guided and loved as you move through this terrible time.

    Love,
    Claudia

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  54. Jayne, I am so sorry for your loss.
    Sending you loving thoughts and hugs.

    Janne

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  55. Dear Jayne, I cannot imagine the pain you must be feeling, and the loneliness... I am SO sorry to hear this news. He sounds like a Wonderful man who will live forever in your heart and memories. I wish there were words that could heal your heartache.... I would send them a thousand times! You are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you strength and courage as you find your way Home.

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  56. Dear Jayne, Your loss is great and I can feel your pain. I understand you wanting to get back home. Thanks for reminding us that telling those you love that you love them is so so important. We just don't know how much time we have. I too live in California. Not sure where you are but I'm about 1 hour and 40 mins north of San Fransico. If I can help you in any way I would be glad too. Prayers and hugs~ Kim

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  57. Im so sorry.... I find it so hard to say the things that might help. besides... what helps? All I can say is I hope you get all the love and support you need for as long as it takes to find peace. This loss is so sad... he sounds so sweet.

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  58. I can't imagine your pain. He sounds like a wonderful man. Be gentle with yourself at this time.

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  59. I can't start to imagine what you are going through ... I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

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  60. So so sorry, a deeply sadness.

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  61. I have just found your post.

    I Am So Sorry for Your Loss, You Have My Deepest Sympathy.

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  62. Darling, dearest Jayne. I hope you have read my email by now. Please let us try and do something to help you through this terrible time. I feel so sorry that you are all alone and I am a 1000 miles away. But really I am just a click from you . Although we have never met, I feel like you are an old dear friend. I hope to see a reply from you to at least know how I can help.

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  63. Dear Jayne, So sorry to read of the loss of your beautiful husband. Please accept my condolences.Susie

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  64. I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your story about Mick and the little girl warms my heart. He must have touched so many lives with his kind soul. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
    Hugs,
    Jill

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  65. Dear Jayne...I don´t imagine your pain...
    I´m so sorry for your loss, I can´t imagine myself in a situation like that.
    You have with you 66 friends, you are not alone...
    Hugg
    Marina

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  66. We have never met, but I am very sorry for your loss. May God give you strength as you begin to cope. Your husband sounds like a wonderful man and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    BIG hugs.

    Robin

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  67. Dear Jayne, I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  68. I am so sorry for your loss, i wish you a lot streanght and hope it helps a little bit to know you have so many blogfriends who are thinking of you and send you love.
    Many hugs and love from me too.
    Maria

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  69. Hello Jane, I have not had time yet to look through your blog, just saw this message. Im so sorry ... Please accept my condolences. Stay strong. Your husband with you forever in your heart and in your memory...

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  70. So sorry for your loss. He sounds like a lovely man. My heart and thoughts are with you.

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  71. I am sorry for you loss. Someone once told me that it is sometime easier to think of the happy reunions that are happening in heaven right now. I wish you the best. Troy

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  72. I am so so sorry to just now be reading this. He was so young - oh I am so sorry for your loss.

    May you be comforted knowing there are many out there who care, and are keeping you in their hearts and thoughts.

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  73. Jayne,

    We are saddened to hear of your sudden loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one.

    Marlene
    CDHM.org

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  74. hello darling, how are you?? I know that for you, this Christmas will be very sad, but I pray so that you can find some peace in your heart ... your love is always with you, even now.
    he is in the snow, the lights of Christmas, the scent of the tree, is in every corner of the house, even if you do not see, he is with you.
    I embrace you with all my affection.
    Merry Christmas!
    xxxxxxxx Caterina

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  75. I'm so sorry for your terrible loss. May your profound sorrow ease in time and may you know a bit of peace and comfort again one day. Bless you.

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  76. I don't know if you'll read this or not...i've just known your blog and i've read this. I'm absolutely devastated, and a year later I sincerely hope that you're feeling better and that God sent you peace, love, calm.

    A big hug from Spain

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