I hate packing Christmas away it’s like packing joy into a box.. — The pile of Christmas decorations to be packed makes me feel melancholy .. there’s a finality about it.. like packing joy away into a box ... I loathe the task… The house, which is already eerily quiet, now looks stark and bare too.. I wrestle with lights, attempting, in vain…

Tragedy and Trauma… Meet almost every day… Whilst waiting for their children outside the school… Two of us on a pavement Looking normal in every way.. I knew her story, long before I met her. It was impossible not to. Renown for the trauma she had suffered, respected for her refusal to let it define her, revered…

Do storks bring babies? — Last year, when the woolly-necked stork glided right up to our door, we were transfixed. It had not visited our garden before and has not since. Although hushed and humbled by its magnificent presence and proximity, we were unaware of the macrocosmic proportions of the message it was delivering. …

On hope and cosmic coincidence. — Today my sister got to her meet first grandchild... A special moment for any Gran.. This one, just happened to be on the very day, she had her last radiation treatment. After months and months of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiation, she was told, all clear, no more needed...this …

‘One day - when we remove the masks - we will bask in the glow and warmth of a simple smile. …

Swept over the edge…. I was Plunged into swirling depths - An insignificant piece of driftwood. I fought… Gasped and clasped.. Pockets of air Branches Boulders Twigs and leaves.. Until my hands were raw.. Until I could no more.. Exhausted, I Gave In… I Let it win… Breathe Michelle, B r e a t h e I closed my eyes In Surrender And Let Go. Breathe Michelle, B r e a t h e….. On the shores Of the unknown

The Minister of Appeasement I had a breakthrough… I’m not so sure it was good.. I have always struggled to compartmentalize my emotions. I’m envious of others who can put their feelings aside. Those that can watch horror movies, read sad stories, or be angry and then simply move on.. I lie awake at…

Dinner With My Brothers. ‘What has been the worst day of your life?' I was taken aback by my body’s instinctive reaction to this writing prompt...and how quickly images came blasting into my brain... a compilation video... instantly accessible. It made me sad that I could think of so many.. It’s hard to quantify…

The Simple Things… Its felt as if I've been on the really steep climb these past few months..you know, the Mission Impossible one, where Tom Cruise is hanging by one hand onto the sheer cliff face.... The sound of shouting and gunshots and the chukka chukka of helicopters. The sight of smoke and…