England May 2008

What a DISGRACE this country has become, even since my time in Singapore.........a dirty place full of rude, arrogant and unfriendly people who have absolute disregard for everthing and everyone. I am embarassed to even consider myself having been "one of them" and hope the I did not (and do not) behave in such a dreadful manner.

Yesterday I visited my darling daughter Harriets final resting place. I always thought that Sunvale Cemetery was a beautiful place worthy of her everylasting "bed". Harriets grave for those who don't know, is situated at the top corner with nothing but woodland behind her. Many time have I sat with her to be joined by a deer or two and the sunlight shining through the leafy canopy gave her mottled shade on even the hottest of days. Her "neighbour" was sadly soon to be another baby. also having been lost to SIDS and the later that same babies brother lost to a tragic car accident. Graham and I have purchased the plot "next door" and my parents the plot below that so one day we will rest eternally together...... Anyway, yesterday.................armed with a pot of the most delicate narcisuss daffodils I eagerly headed towards her grave (visiting her is one of the main things I miss from the UK and in some ways I often feel I have let her down by moving so far away though I am grateful to all those of you who do go to her and check shes safe when you have a spare moment. THANK YOU). I was stopped in my tracks with a heart beating so hard I am sure it could be heard in Singapore............the lowest of the low had occured..................my NIGHTMARE...............the grave has been VANDALISED. Her beautiful blue granite vase appears to have been used for AIR GUN practice with "bullet/shot" holes peppering it. The beautiful set of three white porceline bunnies Mum and Dad had taken for Easter and the selection of porceline woodland animals that I had sent to her from Singapore had ALL been stollen. Branches, broken pots and vases littered all around and I felt myself sinking in the depression of it all. The two neighbouring graves of Harriets "friends" have always been kept so beautifully but now I found them too in a disgusting condition, having not been cared for in months (the parents find visiting too painful) and (I guess) teenage friends of the deceased appearing to have held "parties" for him in his memory? Bottles of Vodka, Sambuka etc littered the grave alone with smashed mugs and chocolate bars. I guess that these parties have contributed to the damage incurred on Harriets grave but without proof what can I do............? A natural occurance has also happened...................due to the cemetery being quite "boggy" and Harriet being buried at the top of a hill, I noticed the grave has slipped slightly to the right and as such the cormers of the kerb stones cement has come away. In itself this I guess isn't a major issue but with time the stone will fall away and then smash so will need to be sorted now to prevent what could become a nightmare to deal with from "the other side of the world"...............all in all a miserable day...............My husband will no doubt be smiling at the fact I am MOANING again despite my earlier statement that I was going to try not to!
SORRY.....Love you Graham! x