This week I walked up the Macclesfield Canal, from Kidsgrove in Staffordshire to Bollington, 3 miles north of Macclesfield. It is a beautiful walk, especially in the early autumn when the sun is shining – which it was. Designed by Thomas Telford, this was the last canal to be built before the railways nudged canalsContinue reading “50. Can we ‘get over’ grief or ‘move on’?”
Category Archives: Grieving
49. Sorry you’ve lost someone – careless?
A true story. Once upon a time there was a three-year old boy who was given some money for his third birthday. For the first time in his life he had a choice: how was he going to spend his own money? He bought a Spiderman baseball cap. For two years he wore it againContinue reading “49. Sorry you’ve lost someone – careless?”
48. Sudden death means no more shared memories
Today, on my way home from the Cotswolds, I stopped off for coffee in Moreton-in Marsh, a delightful Cotswold town. It was where we went for the second stage of our honeymoon, arriving there 37 years and 2 days ago, to be precise. The honeymoon That first evening we went to the grand openingContinue reading “48. Sudden death means no more shared memories”
47. Jesus’ body – God’s gift to the world
Eight months into 2020 and two more grandchildren have joined the family. I’m fascinated and overawed with the wonder of new babies! I love the way they are all curled up then begin to unfurl arms and legs, stretching as far as they can, no longer womb-restricted. The world is there to be explored! IContinue reading “47. Jesus’ body – God’s gift to the world”
46. We can never know anyone 100%
This week I’ve slimmed down Robert’s files and papers. He had no time to spring clean his personal filing systems or possessions. If he hadn’t died suddenly, I’d have wanted to ask questions about what he had collected or comments he’d made in articles or lectures. “Who gave you this bowl/candlestick/book?” “Have you changedContinue reading “46. We can never know anyone 100%”
45. ‘A’ level results and disappointment
Today is ‘A’ level results day in England, amidst huge controversy and understandably inadequate communication. I have prayed for students, parents, school staff and university admission departments. It’s a nightmare. Thought for the Day on Radio 4 This morning Tom McLeish, Professor of Natural Philosophy at York University presented Thought for the Day. He acknowledgedContinue reading “45. ‘A’ level results and disappointment”
44. Puzzling over the death of my parents
This week is the anniversary of my parents’ death – 20 years ago my father, 9 years my mother. This week for the first time I have not only thought about them, but been seriously puzzled. My dad had a stroke in 1994. After intensive physiotherapy he returned home with some limitations, but actively mobile.Continue reading “44. Puzzling over the death of my parents”
42. Blessings with clean windows
The door-bell rang. It was the young man who occasionally calls by to sell cleaning products, as part of a programme to help young people get into employment. He introduced himself hesitantly, but once he realised I remembered him, he relaxed. Lockdown has been very difficult for him. He was delighted when I bought aContinue reading “42. Blessings with clean windows”
39. Can eternity be like a courgette?
Lockdown During the Coronavirus Lockdown I have lived with my daughter and her family in their attic room. It has been a great experience. The attic has been a place of retreat, in every sense of the word, including being treated as special, again and again! My daughter gave birth to her daughter just threeContinue reading “39. Can eternity be like a courgette?”
38. Howling with grief
Talk about weeping Talking with a friend recently whose husband has just died, we got onto the subject of weeping. I’ve rarely talked with anyone about this, but inevitably it revived my memories of the early days after Robert had died. Tears would well up in my eyes all the time. The slightest comment orContinue reading “38. Howling with grief”
Sudden death... then what? 