Life, Loss, and Unexpected Goodbyes

Sometimes, the countryside moves at its own pace—and so do we. This past week has been a whirlwind of heavy and heartwarming moments, unexpected journeys, and painful goodbyes. It’s been a reminder of just how precious life truly is.

Stone Barn Conversion: Small Details, Big Impact

Progress continues in our stone barn conversion, and while the changes might not be dramatic, they’ve completely transformed the energy of the space. The metalwork between the ceiling beams is fully installed, the edges have been carefully filled, and something unexpected happened—the acoustics changed. Sounds feel softer, flatter, as if the space itself is settling into a new phase of becoming a home.

Jon has started sealing the metalwork with adhesive, a slow but steady process that brings us closer to completion. I know many of you love following our barn renovation journey—would you be interested in a video walkthrough of how it looks now? Let me know in the comments!

A Journey Home & A Celebration of Life

Last week, I traveled back to the UK under deeply sad circumstances—my sister’s husband passed away far too young from early-onset Alzheimer’s. Watching someone you love navigate profound grief is never easy, but amidst the sorrow, there was light.

His funeral wasn’t just a farewell; it was a celebration of life, filled with stories, laughter, and warmth. There were tears, but there were also smiles—memories of the big personality he shared with the world.

Spending time with my family and my best friend was deeply grounding. Even though I lived in the UK for over 11 years, returning felt strange, almost like stepping into a past life. Have you ever experienced that sense of disconnection from a place you once called home?

Cats, Cats, Cats: Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Being away from my own cats was harder than expected—no little meows demanding dinner, no warm bodies curled up nearby. But thankfully, my husband kept me supplied with plenty of photos.

While I was away, my best friend’s cat, Kit Kat, stepped in to fill the void. Funny enough, she’s the only animal in my upcoming book that I’ve met in person!

Life’s Curveballs: An Unexpected Goodbye

Just before my flight home, life threw another curveball. My father-in-law, who had been terminally ill, took a sudden turn for the worse. I had to rush back to France so my husband could fly to the UK to be with him.

Heartbreakingly, he passed away before my husband could reach him.

No matter how much we try to prepare for loss, it always arrives like a storm, leaving us to navigate the wreckage in our own time, in our own way. If you’ve had a hard week too, I see you. And if your week was lighter, hold onto that warmth and send a little of it into the world—there’s always someone who needs it.

Whispers from the Countryside Returns Tomorrow

Life may have delayed things, but Whispers from the Countryside is back tomorrow. This episode will be a heartfelt one—sharing updates from the barn conversion, some deeply emotional moments from my travels, countryside reflections, and, of course, the latest cat antics.

Unlike the blog and newsletter, the video will be an immersive experience, bringing these stories to life in a way that words alone can’t.

If you haven’t watched the first episode yet, you can catch up here—and let me know what you think!

A Little Extra Magic…

If you’re loving these updates, I’d be so grateful if you shared them with a friend who’d enjoy them too.

And if you’d like to receive weekly exclusive animal communication insights (like the beautiful farewell story I shared in my newsletter), as well as a discount on an order, subscribe here.

Through all the ups and downs, I’m still here, still sharing this journey with you, and I’m so grateful for you all.

Wishing you a week filled with love, light, and the warmth of small, meaningful moments.

Until next time,
Colleen