I was never a big candle user before we lost Abi. Having young children meant we needed to keep hazards to a minimum, they were a luxury in that regard! So, they were used for special events only and the odd occasion when I took one of those ‘mummy time’ baths purely to relax andContinueContinue reading “Candles for comfort”
Author Archives: Kelly 🌻
How many children does a bereaved mother have?
The note about what to write in a card to a grieving person in my last post seemed to strike a cord with some readers. Some recognised the uncertainty of what to do for the best, others realised they’d never considered how this simple gesture could be interpreted by the recipient, others recalled past occasionsContinueContinue reading “How many children does a bereaved mother have?”
A grief observed… approaching the first anniversary
In this crazy first year as a grieving mother, I’ve learned an awful lot about bereavement. Far more than I expected to know at my age, having lost a child so suddenly. Just like many people, I was living in blissful ignorance of this feeling before my daughter died – oh, how I miss that!ContinueContinue reading “A grief observed… approaching the first anniversary”
Coming home without her
Having visited Abi in the hospital’s Rainbow Room, we had nothing more to do than to go home. We had vague plans in mind to contact a funeral director the next day to get things moving on her funeral, but no idea how this would come together. It all seemed too much. The hospital staffContinueContinue reading “Coming home without her”
Forever smiling…
The donation operation took less time than we thought, only about two hours, so we were able to see Abi by around lunchtime. The nurse caring for her took us to a quieter part of the hospital. This was the Rainbow Room. It’s a bedroom-style room, decorated with children in mind – some bright coloursContinueContinue reading “Forever smiling…”
Preparing to let her go…
Looking back, we were on a sort of auto pilot when we knew that Abi would die. Far from the panic and distress of her collapse at home, our situation was now more peaceful, with an element of tension. We could ask the consultant to turn off the life support machine when we were ready.ContinueContinue reading “Preparing to let her go…”
She’s not coming home…
Telling our children that their much-loved big sister wasn’t coming home was quite possibly the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do. Having broken the news to our family, that Abi’s life support would be switched off, we went to see our other children and took them out of the hospital for a walk. WeContinueContinue reading “She’s not coming home…”
Tidying up a life…
I feel so sick that Abi has gone. I just can’t believe it. How can she not be here? There is such a huge void without her presence. When buying cakes at a sale today, I chose four. Now, I would normally do that because I wouldn’t usually have one (watching my weight). But IContinueContinue reading “Tidying up a life…”
Forever autumn (a morning prayer)
You don’t have to be religious to draw comfort from this prayer. As I rise up this morning I remember the love that I lost. I remember their laughter and smile, their quirks and silly moments. I remember the place they always sat and the things that they once said. I remember that old thingContinueContinue reading “Forever autumn (a morning prayer)”
Garfield
Taking a bit of a break from the ‘heavy stuff’, I thought I’d tell you a little story about a famous cat… This is Garfield. It’s not just any old cuddly toy; this guy has travelled miles for us, in more ways than one! When in Menorca, our first holiday abroad as a family aContinueContinue reading “Garfield”
Chasing Dragonflies 