I lost my mum over two years ago, I was in China doing their lockdown and couldn't get home so I was here on my own and I grieved and I cried but life returned to how it was before albeit with mum in my life, the thing is - she hasn't gone away, she is still with me or I feel she is, I get advice from her when I have to make a decision - nothlng really leaves, she is still a part of my life.

What I do understand is that losing people we love is part of our journey and that my mum lived her life, did the things she wanted to do and did the things she wanted to achieve - we're all on a never ending train journey, we get on the train and take a seat and there are people on there before us who will get off at their stations and then people will get on after us and make themselves comfortable and then our stop comes and we have to get off because it is our stop.

I am 52, I have another 30 years left, 30 years ago was 1994 which is a nothing timeframe, I remember it like yesterday, and then I won't be here, I will be with my parents and everyone else - life is a journey and the best thing to do now is grieve but sometime in the future you will laugh at jokes, smile at good news and life will carry on - my mum lost her parents when she was living a long way from them and she had to go to work the next day - I don't remember being a massive help at the time which is something I regret - I suppose the point I am making is that we all have to go through it, unless we go first of course, which is something nobody's mum would ever want - to bury their children. Strength at the time and take care.

I lost my mum over two years ago, I was in China doing their lockdown and couldn't get home so I was here on my own and I grieved and I cried but life returned to how it was before albeit with mum in my life, the thing is - she hasn't gone away, she is still with me or I feel she is, I get advice from her when I have to make a decision - nothlng really leaves, she is still a part of my life.

What I do understand is that losing people we love is part of our journey and that my mum lived her life, did the things she wanted to do and did the things she wanted to achieve - we're all on a never ending train journey, we get on the train and take a seat and there are people on there before us who will get off at their stations and then people will get on after us and make themselves comfortable and then our stop comes and we have to get off because it is our stop.

I am 52, I have another 30 years left, 30 years ago was 1994 which is a nothing timeframe, I remember it like yesterday, and then I won't be here, I will be with my parents and everyone else - life is a journey and the best thing to do now is grieve but sometime in the future you will laugh at jokes, smile at good news and life will carry on - my mum lost her parents when she was living a long way from them and she had to go to work the next day - I don't remember being a massive help at the time which is something I regret - I suppose the point I am making is that we all have to go through it, unless we go first of course, which is something nobody's mum would ever want - to bury their children. Strength at the time and take care.

Hi Carlos

I just wanted to say what a great analogy that is, being on a train journey, it made real sense to me.

I also lost my mum nearly 2 years ago and I truly believe that she is with my sister, who died 15 years ago.  I still feel the presence of both of them.  My nephew lives in a different country and he came to visit in the summer, we went to the special place near where I live, where we scattered his mum's ashes.  The whole time that we were there, there were 2 butterflies flitting around us, settling on the rocks right beside us.  I really believe that was my sister and my mum joining in our family get together.

I wish you well for the upcoming few weeks, Christmas is still hard, even though I would not wish my loved ones to still be suffering, I do miss them more at this time of year.

Best wishes

Annie

Hi Annie, I am sorry about the  loss of your mum and your sister, they're hard losses whenever they happen and you are left behind to grieve and to carry on with the mechanics of your life also, it's never easy but like you - I believe my loved ones are with me here and helping me and that is a massive comfort, so many things have happened to me like they did with you (like when the butterflies appeared when you were about to spread your sisters ashes) - when I came home from China and it was one of the first few days of me being back - the remote control of the TV just flew up in the air and landed at my feet! I was like 'what the...' and my dad was there and he/we couldn't believe what we saw and that was only one of many things that have happened since, mostly subtle but noticeable. 

I wish you well for this Christmas and New Year, they're with you like my mum is with me. Take care, Annie.