We've just marked the 4th anniversary of Mum's death and it will be 25 years this Summer since Dad passed away. As we know, the grief we feel when we first lose someone we love is both intense and all encompassing ... but it does lessen as time passes. I've always found it quite hard … Continue reading Defining Grief
The likeness was so startlingly obvious that I actually gasped. I grew up being told "you look just like your mum!" At the Lakeland Wedding in July, the groom's brother called me Maggie, which gave me something of a moment (although I was grateful he hadn't called me Auntie Maggie). I'm used to that. I … Continue reading A Family Likeness
What am I going to do with all the letters? Paired I'm going to read them. Of course I am. Safe in the knowledge that Mum knew that I would, at some point, and that I have the blessing of our Australian friends-like-family. Over his morning coffee, The Brainy One casually enquired recently, "What will … Continue reading The Original Happy Mail | Those Letters
You know you must have done something right when someone from Australia gets in touch to say they'll be in London and wants to meet up. The young lady in question is the grand daughter of Mum's penfriend, Kay, and I haven't seen her since The Brainy One and I visited Australia in 2005. We … Continue reading She Came From a Land Down Under
Dog tired ... She has brought so much joy into our livesShe's not quite there with the house trainingShe's a very dainty eater (not like Max at all!)She has her own group of friends on the school run. I am ignored by strangers who say hello to her by nameShe's not afraid to bark at … Continue reading 10 Things | Tilly
In June, 2017, I wrote that I had been on the receiving end of the cruel act of ghosting and was asked recently if the situation behind the ghosting had been resolved. Almost two years on and no, it hasn't. I've hesitated about commenting further here about what happened to me and, ultimately, have decided … Continue reading What I Learned From Being Ghosted
The Boy Child has begun travel training; a supported transition to enable him to travel to and from school by himself. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't anxious. Travel training begins - the trainer is just out of sight around the corner The Boy Child has a comprehensive timetable of how his … Continue reading Travel Training Begins
Supporting a friend who is going through a difficult time. A pot of tea always helps. Thinking about Christmas. Reading Wonder by RJ Palacio. Watching the new series of Outlander on Amazon Prime. Realising that good health is not guaranteed. Making not as many scrapbook pages as I might like. Listening to Stephen Fry read … Continue reading Right Now …
Two hours at lunch with good friends can make all the difference to how I cope with the difficult days.
Somehow he's at Secondary School. In a school where everyone understands autism. In a school where his star can shine.
