A Message from Margaret Nichols

As most of you will know, my dear husband, Ian, died in March this year at the age of 56 after being ill with a brain tumour for nearly three years. Of course that was not an easy time, but with God's help and the love and support of our family and friends, including our church family, we were able to cope with all the consequences of the illness. There were even some good times - the birth of Maddy our granddaughter, celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary, Ian's birthday jazz evening and his baptism.

Ian's funeral was a great celebration of his life and I was thrilled to find our church building full to overflowing with people who wanted to show their appreciation and love for Ian and for me. We asked for donations in memory of Ian to Cancer Research UK and St. Luke's Hospice, and over £1100 was given - a tremendous sum which again indicated the high regard in which Ian was held. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to that figure, and also to the many people who helped with the arrangements for the funeral and dealing with the money.

In May, my daughter Amy ran the Race for Life, also for Cancer Research UK, in Leeds, and her friends and my colleagues at work sponsored her for over £1000. So well over two thousand pounds has been raised as a result of Ian's death, and this helps me to feel that even losing Ian has produced something good.

My life has now changed significantly. I no longer have the worry and responsibility of coping with Ian and so there is a sense in which I feel relieved of a burden. But of course I have lost a wonderful husband and friend and I have to continue into the future on my own, as so many others have done in similar circumstances. At the moment I cannot see very far ahead, but I know that God is with me as He has been all my life, and whatever lies in the future, He will guide me safely through to the end.

Margaret