Do you want to build a snowman?

I recently sat down with my son and daughter to watch Frozen. I realise we’re rather late as it was a Christmas movie, but at the time we weren’t keen to see it (going to the cinema was just not fun anymore). So I put it on as an afternoon distraction for us on aContinueContinue reading “Do you want to build a snowman?”

Guest blog: Collective emotion

[This article was written by my good friend Sali Green, reproduced with Sali’s kind permission] An unexplainable sadness hit a great many people on hearing of the death of Peaches Geldof. But is it unexplainable? Some feel surprised and uncomfortable that they become part of a collective grief over someone they never met. Others showContinueContinue reading “Guest blog: Collective emotion”

New life, new grief

And so, our new baby son was safely born six weeks ago. It’s taken this long for me to have the will to write again, although I’ve jotted thoughts down as they arose and have again found many things surprising. It was the perfect home birth. Four hours in labour and out he popped, smallContinueContinue reading “New life, new grief”

Press attention

At Abi’s first anniversary on 10th February, my contact at the local newspaper contacted me with an offer to run an update story on fundraising that had been done in Abi’s memory over the year. I was pleasantly surprised that he’d remembered and was happy to oblige. It would be good to once again recogniseContinueContinue reading “Press attention”

How do you discipline a grieving child?

The title of this post might seem odd. Perhaps it should read ‘How could you…?’ Why would you discipline a child who was grieving for a lost friend or relative (in our case sibling) and recovering from the trauma of that loss when all they need is love, understanding and security? We feel we areContinueContinue reading “How do you discipline a grieving child?”

Say her name… but not too much, Mum!

One of the biggest challenges I think I’ve faced since Abi’s death is understanding my other children’s different reactions. Contrary to my posts about openly talking about Abi and avoiding the elephant in the room, the approach with our children has had to be carefully considered. Abi has always been in their lives. Her sisterContinueContinue reading “Say her name… but not too much, Mum!”

Surviving grief

Surviving my bereavement is not something I feel I’ve achieved by any means, yet, but I am beginning to see that in order to survive the loss of my child, I’ve needed to find and maintain a balance between grieving and living. ‘Surviving’ feels like an unusual word to use when I consider that it’sContinueContinue reading “Surviving grief”

Olympic dreams

The start of the Winter Olympics has brought back memories of Abi’s excitement for the 2012 London Olympics. It is hard to know she is not here to watch this with us, no doubt she would have loved it. She followed the London Olympic events with interest and I can remember watching the amazing openingContinueContinue reading “Olympic dreams”

Tie a leopard-print ribbon…

Abi’s memorial has a cherry blossom tree next to it, but it’s only young, having been planted last May with her ashes. The first small buds are starting to form ready for springtime. So, while it’s still small and not much to look at, it is a poignant reminder that life carries on… Soon thereContinueContinue reading “Tie a leopard-print ribbon…”

You were so very special…

Another poem we chose for Abi’s church service, read by another uncle. You were so very, very special And were so from the start We held you in our arms But mainly in our hearts. And like a single drop of rain That on still waters fall, Your life did ripples make And touched theContinueContinue reading “You were so very special…”