Hi Simon,

Making the arrangements has to be the priority at the moment. We all enjoyed our break and I will tell you about this when I can.

I'm glad to hear that you are doing ok and hope to be in touch soon.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, off course. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you manage to get everything sorted out ok. Thank you, my thoughts are with you. You take care. X

Simon

Hi Simon,

Many thanks. 

Jolamine xx

Hi Simon,

Would you believe that we still haven't held Archie's funeral. There was a delay in getting the death certificate from the hospital, Then we were told that it would take up to 10 days to register it and a further 2-3 weeks to get a funeral slot. We were fotunate in that the funeral director managed to persuade the registrar to  hurry things up a little, but the service won't take place until Wednesday. The delay has been put down to Covid, as the numbers rise here again. This makes a delay of almost a month since he died and, we will be glad to be able to finally lay him to rest.

We enjoyed our break with the family. It was great to see our grandchildren again. Our lodge was right on the edge of the loch and had a 19 mile nature trail around the loch. It was the ideal setting and my granddaughters enjoyed paddle boarding on the loch. It was so peaceful too. There was no wi-fi on site and it was great to get away from technology for a few days.  I have been thinking about you  and wonder how you are coping at the moment?

Regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamime, I'm so sorry I didn't reply sooner. I didn't get a notification of your message so I thought you hadn't replied. I was thinking then about how you were doing and I saw the message. How have you been. I'm guessing the funeral has taken place. I hope it all went well and Archie is able to rest now. My thoughts are with you.
I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday. It sounds really nice there. I think sometimes it's good to get away from The technology, it is too addictive so you end up on your phone all the time. I don't think we realise how much we rely on it! I bet it was nice walking round the lodge, 19 miles does sound quite big though if you were to do the whole trail! I'm doing ok thank you, pretty much the same. Some up days some bad days, just trying to get by as best as I can. Best wishes.

Simon x

Hi Jolamine, really isn't they strange! Great minds think alike! Ah of course I totally understand. There are always more people who need support. You do an amazing job helping out all those people. I for one am very grateful for all the support you give me. 
I'm glad to hear the funeral went ok. Thst is a shame that nobody came from his care home though. I can imagine it was strange with just 4 people. My mum had around 20 people and that didn't feel enough. I think all that matters is that the important people are there though. I'm glad Archie is at peace now and hope you are coping ok.

Ah I see, the mobility scooter would definitely help, 19 miles is a fair trip! it must be nice to just get out and get some fresh air though. I do it myself, I don't get out enough. There's nothing better than fresh air but sometimes you just end up staying in. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing all your family! You are right Jolamine, we are very attached to out technology. Too much I think but I'm just as bad as everyone else. I need my WiFi too!

I agree Jolamine, I thought it might get a little easier over time but I feel pretty much the same now as I did after it happened. Still can't really accept it has and I do get moments where I suddenly think she's not here and have a little panic attack sort of thing. It doesn't happen a lot but every now and then. I also get some really sad days out of the blue. I'm fine one minute then something gets in my head and that's it. I imagine all this is fairly normal and you have heard of lots of people having it. My dad and sister are ok thanks. My dad is happy with the carers, he's still not fully accepting of the help but they are doing what that need to which is all that matters. My sister has a busy life with her family but I know she does struggle from time to time. Her husband just had Covid but he seems to be recovering from it now luckily. We still have to be very careful with everything going on these days. Thank you Jolamine! You take care. X

Simon

Hi Simon,

The way you are feeling sounds perfectly normal. What you will find is that you have suddenly had a few days when something else takes over and your mum is not your overawing thought of the day. As I said to you before, I talk to my mum's photo. I still do this after 24 years, although not nearly as often as I used to do.  This doesn't mean that I've forgotten her, I will always hold her in my heart, but life goes on and, life is for living. My mum would have been the first person to want me to live my life and, I'm sure that yours would have wanted this too.

I am glad to hear that your dad is happy with his carers now. I am so sorry to hear about your brother-in-law and I hope that he recovers from it fully. We had our booster Covid and flu vaccinations yesterday, so have done all that we can to avoid it. 

Have you made any move to see your GP again about getting further investigation for your own health? I am sure that you would feel more able to get out in the fresh air if they can do anything  to  help you further. I sincerely hope that they can by now.

Don't forget that I am always here if you want to chat.

Kind regards,
Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, I am still talking to her a lot. I guess that's something I will always do like you. I always need help and advice and there's no one better than your mum to help you out. I know she is still with me as I can feel how she influences everything I do. She was always the rational person whereas my dad would just do anything he fancies! Luckily my mum taught me to be more sensible. I do have the odd day where as you said other things happen and you seem to manage and other days usually when something happens and you want to speak to her is when it gets me. I know you are right and she would just want me to be happy. I think that's all out mums want, I know I was lucky to have her for as long as I did. I just wish I could have had her a bit longer. 

Thanks Jolamine, he does seem to be feeling better. How taste and smell is coming back now so hopefully he will make a full recovery. That's good Jolamine, get every protection you can. They have offered the booster too my dad so he will be getting his done shortly. Best to take all the precautions you can. I know it's not always in our hands but if you take all the precautions you can there's not much else you can do! 
 

I haven't yet Jolamine but I will be doing. At the moment I'm changing surgery's as my current one seems to be going downhill. Hopefully this will give me a chance to see if I can get reassessed and see whether there's anything that can be done to help. Thank you for thinking of me Jolamine, it means a lot. Anything that could help would be worth looking in to! Thank you so much Jolamine, that's very kind of you. I'm always here too if you need to chat. Take care. X

Simon

Hi Simon,

I agree . There's nobody quite like your mum to help you out when you need it. We all wish that we could have them forever, but sadly, we all have to go when our time arrives.

It is good to hear that your dad is feeling better and, I do hope that he makes a full recovery. I am glad to hear that he will be getting his booster jag soon - you can't be too careful.

You are doing the right thing in changing practices, when you are not happy with your current one. I hope that your new one is better. Do let me know how you get on with being reassessed. You may get no further forward and, there's nothing lost if you do. On the other hand, diagnostics have improved a lot in recent years, so you never know. It certainly seems worth a try.

Take care.

Jolamine xx