Louis CSuddenly, I am in a panic. Because in a fortnight’s time, we are travelling to America.This month has always featured the double whammy of Stanley’s birthday followed almost immediately by Gill’s, three days later. Not long…Jun 3Jun 3
Louis CWe are an odd quartet.The grouchy Dad, just about managing, just about coping, just about keeping it together, just, just about; the introvert eldest, mostly…Apr 292Apr 292
Louis CAugust stretches on. All thoughts now turn towards the service. The celebration of life.It begins to obsess me. I’m not sleeping well. When I wake, it’s my first thought. Sometimes, I reach for my phone in the dark, open Notes…Mar 121Mar 121
Louis CAll the firsts are hard. The first birthday, first anniversary. And here is the first holiday.We knew that come August, going abroad was unlikely: in all probability she would be required by hospitals for treatment and appointments.Feb 292Feb 292
Louis CAt some point, it stops being The Day Before and The Day After and simply becomes August.We are left in the aftermath. This new paradigm. Five have become Four.Feb 20Feb 20
Louis CSaturday, Day Three, and her Dad is coming down, with his wife Margaret and her daughter, Lizzie.All her family. My extended family.Feb 14Feb 14
Louis CThe next day, the Friday, is entirely hazy.I do remember that Jane came round, red-eyed, to pay her respects. She had known Gill for years and was both a close friend as well as a…Feb 8Feb 8
Louis CI can’t remember much about the first morning I woke up to my new life as a widower.Voices, downstairs. No time for sad thoughts, go and face the world.Jan 311Jan 311
Louis CTwo hours after my wife died, after their mum died, we pull up back at the house.My younger brother is already there. He’s brought breakfast — chocolate croissants and raisin Danish, a much-needed coffee. He’s a welcome…Jan 2311Jan 2311
