How lucky I am with family?

Until I first went through bereavement with my dad, I had never been particularly close to my family. I was always there for them but for many reasons – too many to go into here – I had always felt on the outside. Then Dad was diagnosed with dementia….and declined very rapidly, within a secure unit inside 7 weeks, and died within 3 months of the diagnosis. Through that time I had a wonderful relationship with Dad, and we grew really close again. I promised him that I would look after my mum, and in doing so have loved every minute. Being with mum, is great because, well she is my mum but also because I know Dad would be smiling down and knowing she is looked after….he was always so portective of his first and only love!

I suppose that’s how I now look at Christmas. Rightly or wrongly I look for opportunities to reach out to others and let them feel the love that I was lucky enough to have in my life….is it wrong to shut out my grief – I don’t know, but it gets me through the festive season which is great, and along the way I see many smiles from other people who needed the love.