Gosh that sounds the most obvious sentence to write! But before understanding the true emotion of losing someone dear, I think despite my romantic, soppy nature…I hid my emotions. In some way I was frightened of them, if that makes sense?
I noticed the change only last week when I left my wonderful mum after our holiday together…my heart felt so full of love and I didn’t want to leave her…I wanted to pick her up in my pocket and bring her home. I felt tears in my eyes, I felt as though I was going to crumble….this was  I am …read more

I remember so clearly losing Dad and promising him that I would look after the lady he had loved so much – my mum. Well today she is celebrating her 79th birthday. I still live too far away to nip in for a cup of coffee and some of her gorgeous home baking but I did go and see her this weekend and we went out for tea.
I love my mum so much, I am lucky that we have always had a special connection. I used to spend hours sat on her knee as a child and we share a …read more

My wonderful mum just sent me this and it made me smile…
If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can …read more

When Dad died one good thing that came of it was a closeness with my mum. Mum and I have always had a special bond but somehow we had grown apart unknowingly. During the time Dad was ill, that closeness reformed and to this day..Mum and I have a new relationship.
They say for every death there is  a birth and that was the case for me and my parents. That nagging regret about Dad, about not spending enough time with him, has ensured that I will never have the same regret with Mum. Ahead of tomorrow here are 5 reasons …read more

In 4 days time it is the anniversary of my dad’s passing….this week mum, who has done so well in overcoming her grief, gave us a scare. Mum passed out at a restaurant and we had to call an ambulance…she is OK now, still a little groggy but back home.
It made me realise how fragile we are, how fragile our strength is…suddenly my emotions went from feeling proud of her…to feeling scared that I would lose her. Isn’t that part of grief, these large swings   in our emotional strength.
I know that instead of using that fear to worry, I …read more

I spent the day with my mum yesterday. Since dad died, mum has struggled emotionally and physically. The garden which had always been dad’s domain, so working with mum (Well, mum managing and me doing the work of 30 people!) brings back wonderful memories.
It is also great to be in the company of someone who understands the pain of grief and who you can talk openly with about your feelings. I think the physical work also helps as it gets the blood flowing and you feel brighter.  
The interesting point is that when I left her she looked 10 years …read more

I wanted to share a comment that Anne left on the blog this week. Her words are powerful and I am sure that we can all relate to them
“Grief has an effect on us and each one of us takes his/her own journey through that valley. People often say they feel so alone, and letting them see that they are surrounded by family ( who also grieve in their own way), is empowering. Emotions are raw and when someone dies in our family it reminds us that we are mortal and makes many anxious. It is a normal human reaction …read more

This weekend saw another death in my extended family and this week sees mum going to the doctors for her heart condition. With losing dad over 3 years ago, it scares me that I may lose mum. When you have faced grief so vividly, you know what it feels like to lose someone. You know how empty you feel. Mum is 76 and in general looks great for her age. It is even more ironic when all my life I have not been a worrier, always thinking whattever will be, will be.
Maybe it is a sign that I am getting …read more

I am a member of the Yahoo Group for grief and someone posted this poem which I thought was beautiful and wanted to share with you all

Your Mother is always with you
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street,
She’s the smell of certain foods you remember,
flowers you pick and perfume that she wore.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.
She’s your breath in the air on a Cold winter’s day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow.
She is Christmas morning. Your Mother …read more

In the UK we are celebrating mothers day and I am so happy to say that I have my mum in my life. She is off cruising at the moment around the carribean – not that I am jealous or anything!
I have tried to phone her on the ship but I missed her before she went on a trip…..I miss her when she is away but since we lost my dad to dementia, mum and I have grown even closer….I want to cherish all the days I have with her. So Mum if you are reading this at any stage…LOVE …read more