Guest post: Returning to dust

My Great Loves is a blog I came across on WordPress Reader. This military wife and mother lost her darling first born son, 'Gift', age 12 in a tragic accident. She blogs anonymously about her 'loves' - her husband and children, her grief and family life. I have been moved by her touching honesty andContinue reading "Guest post: Returning to dust"

Guest post: Forever 12

This guest post was written by my friend Sarah, whose son was in the same school and year as Abi. As her son turned 13 this weekend, Sarah reflects in this moving and inspiring post on what it is to be forever 12.When my eldest reached the milestone of his teenage years last week, itContinue reading "Guest post: Forever 12"

Guest post: The ways my heart is broken

I met (on Twitter) a remarkable woman who tragically lost her darling son Hugo in March this year. He was born at just 24 weeks and lived 35 days. I gave birth to my son on 24th February, just four days after Leigh had Hugo, and her story really struck me and again reminded meContinue reading "Guest post: The ways my heart is broken"

It’s my grief and I’ll cry if I want to…

I have a thing about crying. I find it hard to do. Always have. Before Abi died, I wasn't really one for crying at sad films or soppy love stories, although having children certainly made me more likely to have a little cry if it was about them (school plays, dance shows etc). But inContinue reading "It’s my grief and I’ll cry if I want to…"

Guest post: Saying goodbye had to be perfect (for you)

This personal and deeply moving guest post was kindly written for our blog by The Tangerine Owl Project. It recounts a grieving mother's determination to plan a beautiful memorial for her baby daughter who lived for just 27 days. As I recall the days in the NICU and the loss of Delilah, I often wonder howContinue reading "Guest post: Saying goodbye had to be perfect (for you)"

Summer term and the grieving mum

Another summer term is in full swing. Our second without Abi. So, how is it for a bereaved mum at this time of year? Last year was a fog. We were fumbling through, trying to stay above water, keeping things 'normal' for our other children in the sense of their school routines, dragging ourselves alongContinue reading "Summer term and the grieving mum"

Our joy and sorrow this Father’s Day

My heart can't help but ache for my darling hubby as yet another Father's Day arrives, his second without Abi. When we met, in 1996, I was dating his rather unsavory friend. It wasn't serious and a bit of an experiment for me, which naturally didn't work out. But what did work is that throughContinue reading "Our joy and sorrow this Father’s Day"

Coping (or rather not!) with a tween’s grief

I feel like I've been winded. My tummy feels tight. I am crying. The tears started and didn't stop. The happy feeling dissolved. My heart hurts and I don't know which way to turn. How to act for the best. An argument with my 11-year-old daughter caused this. I have to write - I reallyContinue reading "Coping (or rather not!) with a tween’s grief"

Memories of our last holiday together

As friends and family head off on half term holidays, I'm glad to have a relaxing week ahead with my children. But I feel a slight pang of envy, as I know we are in need of a proper holiday, but with the new baby I'd not had the strength to plan one. Who needsContinue reading "Memories of our last holiday together"

Tears for Abi at bedtime

Perhaps it was because I'd just told my six-year-old son that he looked a bit like Abi when he gave me a cheeky grin.  It wasn't to make him feel sad, it just slipped out. Is it bad to say things like that? I don't know. Last night, my son was getting ready for bedContinue reading "Tears for Abi at bedtime"