Category Archives: family

‘Loved ones’ and those we miss at Christmas…

I have always disliked the term ‘loved ones’ ever since I started working as a Social Worker. The term to me makes a whole world of assumptions about the relationships that surround – and also seemingly support – the people we work with. Even in our own personal world, all the training in the worldContinue reading “‘Loved ones’ and those we miss at Christmas…”

Discussing the future… Podcast – Episode 3

A tough subject for some. When is the right time to discuss the future? Note that this is a replacement for a previous recording, which was of very poor quality. I’ve improved somewhat and so thought I would replace my earlier efforts.

The way we live now and the words that we use…

I find myself talking sometimes and halfway through a conversation, I think, ‘OMG, I feel and sound like an old person’ I say the sort of things my parents used to say to me, way back in the mists of time. I have caught myself looking at a young girl in a short skirt andContinue reading “The way we live now and the words that we use…”

Tis the season for family and forgiveness

I don’t know if other people do this very much, but today I have gone through my Facebook friends and my contacts on my phone and reviewed whether they are still friends that I am in contact with. If I don’t feel like we are in contact anymore, I have culled them. The interesting thingContinue reading “Tis the season for family and forgiveness”

You don’t know what people are dealing with…

I was talking to a friend recently about their relationship, which as it turns out, is not what we might have thought it was. She has been living with a very controlling spouse and she has done her best to keep this under wraps, so that most who know her would not have guessed. IContinue reading “You don’t know what people are dealing with…”

The familiar, the ordinary

Generally speaking, the familiar or the ordinary in our lives gives us a feeling of comfort or safety. A known quantity or experience to be relied upon. However, there are times when the familiar or the ordinary or what has become so, is not a good or safe thing. My second marriage became an unsafeContinue reading “The familiar, the ordinary”

Parkies, life and grief

As with any other person, there is much more to my life than just the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. I carry with me a grief that no mother should have to face. The death of my oldest son, suddenly and far too soon at just short of his 39th birthday. One thing that I find comfortContinue reading “Parkies, life and grief”

Loss and laughter

Yesterday being 4/10 was the anniversary of my eldest son’s passing just before his 39th birthday. I have my youngest grand-daughter staying with me at the moment, so her Mum came to spend the morning with us. Adam was very close to his sister and her three daughters and because they all lived in ChristchurchContinue reading “Loss and laughter”