Hi my name is Katrina Jamieson, Katrina Wilson as was. Do you recognise me from this picture taken at Larbert Village School between 1958 and 1965. If you do please get in touch, I like renewing acquaintances.

I am now in my 40's, and gave up work because of medical problems. Since then, I have devoted my time to the church, my computer and working  in the local Citizen's Advice Bureau.

I left school in 1969 and did various office jobs typist, payroll, accounts etc. until 1979.

I married Alan Jamieson on 23rd June, 1973 at Larbert Old Parish Church.  Our first son Stuart, was born 22^nd August 1979, Andrew, our second on 26^th January 1982.

In 1984 I began to look for something in my life, I didn't know what it was, I just knew I didn't have it. I started with sport, running, swimming, weight training, aerobics etc. But these did not give me any real fulfilment. This made me start thinking and looking at my life. I had a good husband, 2 wonderful children (well at that time they were) a nice home, what more could anyone ask for.

I knew there was something in my life not there that should be, but didn't know what it was.  I was invited to a ladies coffee club. While at the coffee club I met a lot of interesting people, Anna, the chairperson, being one of them. My sister, Mary, came along for moral support. This led to two things.

Firstly we started going to the evening service in our childhood church.

Secondly we were invited along to another Ladies night at the Pentecostal church. Four months after I started attending these meetings Anna, stood up to give her testimony (she told how she had become a Christian and how God is real and answers prayer). That night after I went home I prayed that if God was real he would come into my life and take away the emptiness within it. Nothing appeared to happen (I didn't wake up with either horns or a halo). But gradually I realised I had changed. 

My husband also noticed a difference. All that has happened to me detailed below, so far, have all happened through my faith in Jesus. Don't let me mislead you, life has not all been easy, things have happened in my personal life to make me ask a lot of questions, but my faith in Christ has never once been doubted. My husband has a terminal brain tumour (Glio Blastoma Multiforme) this is slowly day by day destroying him. If it had not been for my faith I would probably have been an alcoholic by now as life was meaningless before.

 

In 1988 I went back to school to be educated (because the first time around I didn't want to know).  So for the next two years I studied at my old school Larbert High School:  English, History, Religious Studies and Film and Media.  Once I had achieved this  feat,  I was admitted to Stirling University, where I studied yet again, for a degree in Religious Studies and English.  I graduated in 1993 and within a few weeks I missed the company of my fellow students.  So I enrolled at Falkirk college to do an H.N.C. in Business Information Management.  Again I enjoyed the camaraderie but this time it was only 1 day a week.  So at 39 I took a job, with Manpower Employment Agency.

For  9 months I worked at the local power station.  It was interesting to be out in the world of work again.  I enjoyed the responsibility that was thrust upon me (It was never like this when I gave up work in 1979).  I could have stayed on there, but my circumstances changed and I was required to be at home.  Prior to going on holiday my Father-in-law was diagnosed as having a tumour on his bladder. This meant he required a course of Radiotherapy. While we were on holiday in France Andrew, my son, broke his arm, he was 13 at the time. While still on holiday my best friend, Joyce, died of Leukaemia, she was 39.  Two months after this, my mother-in-law was diagnosed as having terminal cancer. So for the next  5 months I was nursing a mother-in-law who had terminal cancer and a father-in-law who was still suffering from the effects of Radiotherapy, they were aged 79 and 82 respectively. Life was tough.

My mother-in-law died in February 1996, 5 months later, and my father-in-law took the loss very badly, which is only to be expected when you have been together as long as they had (46 years).  Every day I would go and visit him sometimes 2 or 3 times a day, just to make sure he had someone to talk to.  As time went by he became use to the silence, I wouldn't say he liked it but got used to it.

I thought it was time I took another job, so I went back to Manpower.  This time I went to prison.  For 2 weeks I worked with the prison governor and 2 weeks with Human Resources Manager.  It was quite different to what I had expected.  I didn't like having to come in through the front gates in the morning and waiting till the door was unlocked.  But the work itself was interesting.

My doctor said time to stop working, because of failing health.  So although I could have stayed longer at the prison I had to give it up.

I couldn't sit still for very long before looking for something to do, so I joined the Citizens Advice Bureau (C.A.B.) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A vacancy arose for a job share Deputy Manager, for which I was selected. A few months after this I went on a course for Benefit Representation as a result of which I represented clients at Social Security Tribunals. This was good, it was something I really enjoyed, winning some and losing some. In 1999 I went on another course, this time to be a Course Tutor. I can start to share the work of CAB with new volunteers who are looking to expand their knowledge base or even make them suitable for work.

Alan's father's cancer returned in March 2001.  I took a leave of absence from the CAB to care for him at home.  Then in April 2001 Alan was diagnosed with his brain tumour.  Alan had brain surgery in May 2001 and when he was in theatre his father died.  Since Alan became ill I have had to give up my work with the CAB completely. I have spent all my time with him, attending hospital appointments for Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, CT scans, MRI scans and clinic appointments etc.  So it hasn't been a boring year. But to see my husband's mind fade away is one of the saddest things in my life.

 

This was taken in 1998 at our Silver Wedding Party.  We and our friends old and new shared a night of memories and dancing. 

I also write in my spare time, mostly poetry but I have been known to write the odd short story or two. Below are a few recent  examples, two of which show my concerns. And the third is how I cope with Alan's deteriorating health.  By the way Alan worked in the Oil industry for 35 years:-

Mother earth?

Hear it struggling - see it dying

With a death rattle in its’ throat,

Polluted water, polluted air,

Poisoned food and poisoned minds.

 

Fish are dying in their thousands,

while the waste is dumped at sea.

Companies flourish - profits up,

air we breathe is thick with muck.

 

Food we eat is processed too,

additives, chemical keep it healthy

but what about me or even you?

 

Sickness, illness ever onward

with everything we eat,

Leukaemia, cancer ever growing

killing friends we love so much.

 

Like a train that’s ever moving

we are heading for the end,

of a journey never halting,

till our planet dies -

and that’s THE END...

 

---

My Husband

 

I look at you now and see a shell,

A shadow of the man you once were.

I remember our passion how it burned like a candle,

the fierce hot passion which only needed a kiss to ignite.

Now it has died, the flame has gone out

The love which once we shared too is but a distant dream,

A spectre which hangs over our lives

As I watch you day by day

Fading before my eyes

I remember all the years gone by.

How we loved, danced, laughed.

Now I can barely see you without remembering the past.

 

How things were,

the way your kiss touched the innermost part of me,

making my knees quake at your presence.

Now as I look into your eyes I see confusion, helplessness

and at times a hopelessness too.

Wishing to put back the clock and do all the things we said we would,

But life can be cruel,

We don’t get second chances to live it,

So I must make today count.

 

If you think this web site is good, bad or totally rubbish, please send me an e-mail and let me know.

 If you want to contact me I can be reached at katrina.jamieson@which.net