Following poem was written by me some time after mum had died.  I suspect it will resonate with many readers who have lost their mum.

It was included within ‘Beyond the Double Rainbow’ a fundraising book for her hospice.

SOMETIMES MUM

Sometimes Mum,

 I forget you have gone,

And I reach for the phone.

Then, the reality hits me again,

I’m emotional and alone with my pain.

Yet, I was calling to share something good,

Something stupid –you always understood

My need,

And, my eternal greed

for your love and approval.

You never ran out of either,

Sometimes Mum,

in my dreams we still chat,

But I cannot ring you back.

Then I awaken,

I realise I do not know your new number.

You see.

Sometimes Mum,

To me you haven’t gone.

Annie Manning

 

 

 

After a few extremely sad weeks following the loss of a brilliant young life it was wonderful to receive news of a new life on its way in our family unit.

During a time of bereavement especially in an unexpected death one starts to question one’s faith and life itself.

In comparison the joy one feels when learning another life is making its way into the world. One can only assimilate this to the difference between the darkness of winter and the hope that spring brings.

A reminder to all to live, love and laugh often.

Tell those we love that we love them.

 

I consider myself extremely fortunate that I enjoy my continual studies and that my hunger for learning always needs satisfying.

We are never too old to learn new skills and/or enhance those we naturally have but maybe have yet to discover a niche for.

Now I’m in search of that dream job within pastoral working with teens who let’s face it have it pretty tough. They are all A star students albeit in their own way and that is something which is often forgotten whilst those around focus their attention on results!

Here ends today’s rant!

 

I know a lot of my spiritual friends feel our life is mapped out for us and what we see as sheer coincidence is in fact fate.

As George Michael famously sang ‘Turn a different corner’ or as a romantic cad boyfriend used to say  ‘It’s kismet’. Whatever puts us on a road or makes that chance meeting happen we have to make the best of it at that time.

I know my mother when trying to make sense of my father’s early sudden death would balance it out by saying how many narrow escapes he had during his time served as a desert rat…and how he was to come home, marry and have five children before dying just aged 44.

I  always maintain that anything we undertake in life and/or whoever we meet we do so for some good reason and hopefully learn and make use of those experiences.

As a beloved musician friend used to sing ‘when I think of all the good times that I wasted having good times!’

Last night I re-watched the film ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ confirming what is meant to be will be, even when we struggle against it or others try to prevent it from happening.

In life we have choices and sometimes we make the wrong ones for the right reason!

 

I have been asked to re-circulate my published article on Innovate My School’s website to help those working with bereaved students.

Bereavement at any age is a challenge we know but having to face that challenge alongside the pressure of studying and exams can be overwhelming. Please read my article, link follows:-

http://www.innovatemyschool.com/industry-expert-articles/item/1414-bereavement-helping-pupils-and-towards-recovery.html

For any parents following my blog please communicate with your school help is available for your family unit.

As we are in the lead up to another Mother’s Day I am mindful that so many of us are now without our Mothers.

Whilst I do confess to making a fuss of my mother on this marketing led event, every day was Mother’s Day to me. One of the many lessons in life our amazing mother taught us was  ‘To be good to people when they are here…it’s too late when they are gone!’

I feel saddened when so many people  seem to have such problems in communicating with their mothers and rightly or wrongly they will find me reminding them how life is so very short.

I know that I am a ‘mum bore’ to my friends though many have benefited from her recycled advice and one dear friend insisted I write a book on her teachings. Last year I took time out to donate my attention to my own writing projects and I hope ‘A Mother’s Love‘ (a real work of love) will soon be published. An extract follows from my introduction:-

‘They say there is nothing stronger than the bond between a mother and her children and for the really lucky ones among us aside of that bond may come a lifetime of the best mentoring one can receive and, of course, a beautiful friendship.

The advice given selflessly by a mother is based on her own wisdom, life’s experiences and driven by pure love and a desire to help you reach your potential safely and feeling secure in that love.’

I rest my case.

One cannot under estimate how people feel when they lose a pet. They are, to real pet lovers part of the family. Often people have and care for cats, dogs and horses for many years.

I had one cat (runt of the litter) who lived to eighteen and a half and I always maintain a house isn’t a home without a pet.

For children often the loss of a pet may be their first introduction into bereavement and the loss and sadness that brings and can prepare them slightly for understanding the concept of death. Not only can keeping a pet introduce a child into taking responsibility for something other than themselves it teaches them about love and celebrating the experience of owning a pet.

It is a good idea to involve the children in perhaps a small burying ceremony and prayers to say goodbye. Most of us have seen the film ‘Marley and Me’ and this was expressed sensitively but heart-wrenching!

Remember: For the elderly and those that live a lone their pet may be their main companion and therefore the loss will be greater. 

In the middle of a meeting yesterday I suddenly asked ‘what day is it?‘ after a few disturbed nights sleep and too much screen work I had simply lost track.

I saw this today, so dedicating it to my lovely colleague:-

What day is it?”
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.
― A.A. Milne

Keep smiling and for fellow sleepyheads get some ZZZZ’s