A Patchwork of Poems
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About this ebook
This short book is essentially a reflection, through poetry and prose, of the experience of life through the eyes and words of a talented poet and tireless worker for the benefit of others.
It culminates with a consideration of when it is time to say goodbye to friends and loved ones following a final stay in hospital after surgery, clinical treatment and convalescence have all run their course. It is essentially a message of hope and encouragement, especially for the benefit of loved ones, friends and colleagues.
Some of the opinions expressed, or information and ideas contained within this book may not match your own, especially any experience of a stay in hospital, surgery or clinical care, however they are all born out of the highs and lows of experience of daily life in a variety of settings, including facing an operation, time spent during chemotherapy care and beyond.
The short diary of a trip to Cernavoda, Romania with Children in Distress, is a reflection of how things felt at the time and the love and care that was delivered to the children there by a great many people.
All profits generated from sales of this book will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Catherine M Wheeler
Catherine, always her husband Roy's name for her, though many of us called her Cath, was born in Suffolk in 1939. She began early working life in Woolworth's, followed by W.H. Smith and it was not long before, having learned some of the tricks of the trade, her innate management skills began to surface. She ran the bookshop in no time at all.She was organised and once she had caught a vision became passionate, determined and resilient. She was a leader, and at the same time, a great team player. She attracted commitment wherever she went because she valued others.She worked in the later part of her busy life with Children in Distress and because she loved the kids who it helped she also loved the UK shops that helped to support the children.Together with Roy she has been to Romania 38 times at considerable personal sacrifice. The measure of the blessing they both were to countless children and young people cannot be estimated. She would be thrilled to know they have named a building in the Cernovoda Young People's Centre after her. She would have also been humble and proud!She was a Magistrate over many years, no doubt displaying trade-mark wisdom. She was highly appreciated in the local judicial system and further afield.She gave herself unsparingly to others behind the scenes, visiting Bassenfell Manor Christian Centre in Cumbria with church groups and schools groups on over 50 occasions.She was a collector of antiques, a master of craft whether it was embroidery or building and furnishing dolls houses, or quilting or cake decorating, or cross stitch. Sometimes it seems though that she derived her greatest satisfaction from quietly observing life and reflecting it, not only in her poetry & prose, but also in her award winning, beautiful patchworks. She could pick up whatever she put her hand to and do it with distinction.She was a strong feisty, impassioned lady. It was said in her family that she was 'never wrong, just sometimes not right!' She would tell you what she thought but rarely fell out with anyone because she was reasonable, generous, loving and supportive. She was loyal, dedicated, there for the long term, ready to pay the price. She knew how to stand up and be counted, to exhibit positive hope when things were dark. For Cath the cup was always half full, rarely half empty.She had a wicked sense of humour often reflected in her Pam Ayres' style poems. Her quiet faith was strong, her hope secure. She loved the image of life as a tapestry or patchwork - sharing about how God pulled together the threads of her life over many years. Her fortitude and faith was remarkable and inspirational.One of our abiding memories of Cath perhaps sums up what we know of her. Along with Roy, she chose to attend a church weekend at Scargill House, Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales. It must have taken more to do that than some of us realised at the time. She was poorly, clearly, but involved and interested in all that was going on. The beautiful, Scandinavian style Chapel of the Centre was up a hill, far too demanding to get there, but she found she could be driven to the back door and so in she came with Roy.On a glorious sunny morning, in an idyllic setting within the Dales she loved so much, it seemed to some of us that God had planned the service just for her. We sang one of her favourite hymns and she chose to stand along with Roy and sing with heart and hands uplifted 'Great is Thy Faithfulness.' She took communion. She expressed and confirmed her faith, strong to the last. She thanked God and she knew Jesus. That's how she lived. Catherine May Wheeler was a special lady. She has gone to her reward. We are left with blessed and cherished memories, she to the Joy set before her.Catherine May Wheeler 1939-2014 (based upon the address given by Sir John Rowling at the celebration of her life 24th April).
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A Patchwork of Poems - Catherine M Wheeler
About the Author
Catherine, always her husband Roy’s name for her, though many of us called her Cath, was born in Suffolk in 1939. Other bigger broader events happened that year but for some nothing much more life changing than knowing Catherine.
She was 15 years old when she first met Roy, himself not much older, and the rest they say is history. They married in 1959 and celebrated 55 years together this year (2014). She was proud of her girls Sally and Sarah, never pushy, just proud and had that same pride in all four of her grandchildren.
She began early working life in Woolworth’s, followed by W.H. Smith and it was not long before, having learned some of the tricks of the trade, her innate management skills began to surface. She ran the bookshop in no time at all.
She was organised and once she had caught a vision became passionate, determined and resilient. She was a leader, and at the same time, a great team player. She attracted commitment wherever she went because she valued others.
She worked in the later part of her busy life with Children in Distress and because she loved the kids who it helped she also loved the UK shops that helped to support the children.
She was so supportive when Roy went on his first visit to Cernovoda, Romania, long ago, pioneering in days when it was scary and challenging. She stayed back in the UK, supportive and engaged with what Roy began. Since then they have been to Romania 38 times at considerable personal sacrifice. The measure of the blessing they were to countless children and young people cannot be estimated. She would be thrilled to know they intend to call a room in the Cernovoda Young People’s Centre after her. She would have also been humble and proud!
Amongst the happiest times in her life was what she regarded as ‘the precious period’ at Whitby Language School where she was far more than the Catering Manager. Brilliant at that, of course, indeed anything to do with catering was right up her street - she was legendary. Whether feeding a family or a multitude she was truly brilliant. If the way to people’s hearts is through the stomach she reached many a heart.
She established deep personal relationships with a lot of people during her time there, especially a wide variety of overseas students, people like Nelu and Nela from Romania and the Korean families who took time and trouble to keep in touch and even come back to visit her regularly. She was kind to them, understanding, supportive and wise. Her influence extended far beyond the kitchen, deep into people’s lives.
She was a Magistrate over many years, no doubt displaying trade-mark wisdom. She was highly appreciated in the local judicial system and further afield.
She gave herself unsparingly to others behind the scenes, visiting Bassenfell Manor Christian Centre in Cumbria with church groups and schools groups on over 50 occasions. There was always a Wheeler in the kitchen, Roy from first light of day and Cath every other minute. He supervised the fried bread and all the rest at breakfast, she everything else. She ordered the food, prepared the menus, supervised the washing up. It was an exemplification of her servant spirit over 30 years.
She was a collector of antiques, a master of craft whether it was embroidery or building and furnishing dolls houses, or quilting or cake decorating, or cross stitch. Sometimes it seems though that she derived her greatest satisfaction from quietly observing life and reflecting it, not only in her poetry & prose, but also in her award winning, beautiful patchworks. She could pick up whatever she put her hand to and do it with distinction.
She was dedicated to hospitality with an open home, warm welcome, and countless times had a house and garden smothered in people benefitting from the kindness she and Roy demonstrated. We were truly grateful and many people will have memories they will never forget.
She was a strong feisty, impassioned lady. It was said in her family that she was ‘never wrong, just sometimes not right!’ She would tell you what she thought but rarely fell out with anyone because she was reasonable, generous, loving and supportive. She was loyal, dedicated, there for the long term, ready to pay the price. She knew how to stand up and be counted, to exhibit positive hope when things were dark. For Cath the cup was always half full, rarely half empty.
She had