Tag Archives: Death

What on earth do I say to a bereaved mum? It’s simple, STALL

It can seem like there’s plenty of advice about what not to do when it comes to grief. I’ve written a number of emotional posts about how some people get it ‘wrong’ when talking (or not!) to a beavered parent, such as this one and this one. While my rants are only one element ofContinueContinue reading “What on earth do I say to a bereaved mum? It’s simple, STALL”

Cultivating joy in grief

Christians often talk a lot about finding joy in life’s difficulties and I always wondered what that meant and how on earth it was even possible. Surely God is playing games with us if He expects us to celebrate our suffering?! But I’ve begun to discover for myself what this truly means (and I meanContinueContinue reading “Cultivating joy in grief”

Staying married when you’re mourning

I realise not everyone who reads this is married, or even in a relationship, and we all have unique experiences, but I wanted to give my perspective of marriage after loss, which some may relate to or take comfort from. One of the first things we heard after Abi had died – quite unbelievably reallyContinueContinue reading “Staying married when you’re mourning”

From cradle to grave

Today, I took my 9-year-old son to his football match. It’s normally Dad who does the football matches, but it had been almost a year since I’d seen my son play due to having the new baby and he asked if I’d go and watch him. He’s been appreciating some one-to-one time with me ofContinueContinue reading “From cradle to grave”

Take me home – a pop song prayer

When trying to rebuild a life that’s been broken – it can feel like you’re grappling in the darkness, utterly alone, tired, afraid. Even the simplest routines go out of sync, the pace of life seems five steps faster than what we can manage. We’re barely breathing. Fear, grief, faith, hope all mingle into a mess that leaves usContinueContinue reading “Take me home – a pop song prayer”

A picture of health

This is a picture of Abi and me on holiday in about 2011. I love the health and happiness radiating from BOTH of us in this picture. Of course, there was never any sign that Abi would have a brain haemorrhage two years later but what struck me when I saw this was not Abi particularly,ContinueContinue reading “A picture of health”

Health anxiety (hypochondria) after the death of a loved one

As someone who now openly admits to suffering with health anxiety, since the death of my 12-year-old daughter and three pregnancy losses, I tend to avoid any kind of health-related TV programme. In fact, I wrote this blog post about why TV alienates the grieving as it contains so much death, blood, gore and trauma.ContinueContinue reading “Health anxiety (hypochondria) after the death of a loved one”

When celebrities die – Why are we still so ‘shocked’ by death?

Yesterday, the news reported that Cilla Black – one of the UK’s ‘national treasures’ of entertainment, had died. The Media was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the news. Then social media saw a flurry of posts as people shared their own ‘shock’ at her death. Cilla? Dead? That cannot be? Even Bruce Forsyth said he wasContinueContinue reading “When celebrities die – Why are we still so ‘shocked’ by death?”

Book review: Through the eyes of a lion, Levi Lusko

I was contacted by the publicist in Nashville, Tennessee, for the pastor and author Levi Lusko, to review a copy of his first book, Through the eyes of a lion. The press release said: ‘On December 20, 2012, five-year-old Lenya Lusko went to heaven while in her parents’ arms after a massive, unexpected asthma attack. WithContinueContinue reading “Book review: Through the eyes of a lion, Levi Lusko”