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…9 min read·Jun 3, 2024----
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…7 min read·Apr 29, 2024--2--2
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…10 min read·Mar 12, 2024--1--1
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.12 min read·Feb 29, 2024--2--2
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.5 min read·Feb 20, 2024----
Louis CSaturday, Day Three, and her Dad is coming down, with his wife Margaret and her daughter, Lizzie.All her family. My extended family.7 min read·Feb 14, 2024----
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…4 min read·Feb 8, 2024----
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.5 min read·Jan 31, 2024--1--1
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…8 min read·Jan 23, 2024--11--11