Our magic bitter sweet moments 🥰🥰🥰

SarahJC

Registered User
Nov 9, 2023
53
0
Thinking of you @sdmhred at this sad time and wanted to say that have been an amazing daughter to your mother and through your diary and sharing your experiences has been so helpful to others xx
 

sdmhred

Registered User
Jan 26, 2022
2,515
0
Surrey
Thank you @SarahJC I’ve discovered writing is so helpful for me…and if it helps others too - wonderful 🥰🥰 what other people wrote ahead of me has helped me so much on my journey
 

sdmhred

Registered User
Jan 26, 2022
2,515
0
Surrey
Back with a bump to the business.

We really struggled to find a vicar and church for a thanksgiving service, but have one now. It’s a very quaint old church but a vicar who says he’s new to doing funerals 🙈🙈 I did a talk at my Dads and will aim to do the same for mum…

Death registration was simple and the lady kind and efficient. I will now contact the utility companies on mum’s house etc I still need before freezing the account. I guess they will have to go in my name until we sell the house.

I went to see mum today. I wailed with grief whilst she was dying but haven’t done since - although I did have a little cry today. Same with Dad - lots of tears at the time but few since! For the first time when viewing a body I instinctively expected her to move 😢😢 she has a lovely wicker type coffin….she had prepaid a funeral and was allocated a ‘green’ funeral director- no embalming etc. she would have approved.

in my other thread you may have read about care home fee annoyances 😬😬😬 not going to let this drag me down! I would have done before caring but I am a stronger person now And won’t rise to everything….but will still stick to my principles…. I did enjoy going to the care home yesterday and seeing my friends who hadn’t forgotten who I was 🥰🥰

a few piccies from the past few days
 

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Chizz

Registered User
Jan 10, 2023
4,133
0
Kent
I'm sure you'll find the right words to say to celebrate all that your was and was to all who knew her @sdmhred and a suitable service. I hope it all goes as you wish it to.
As you know, that is not the end of it, and I don't just mean winding up her estate etc, as your mum (and your dad) live on in you forever.
Best wishes and a virtual hug.
 

Rachael03

Registered User
Apr 17, 2023
119
0
Good to hear the essentials are getting sorted. To do lists never leave us, even in very difficult circumstances.

Emotions are so complex arent they, particularly grief. Its a journey of self discovery buried in between all the pain.

Hope you have managed to soak in a little vitamim D amongst it all.
 

sdmhred

Registered User
Jan 26, 2022
2,515
0
Surrey
My to do list is the longest ever @Rachael03 !! But you’re right it’s important to get a balance - so I’ve decided that it will be only a couple of mum’s business jobs each day and then spend the rest of the time on my to do list, on self care, seeing friends and tackling my flat.

My musing on the past couple of days has been on flowers and social exclusion for carers and PWD. So when Dad died 3 years ago I was living a fairly regular life. FT at work, socialising as much as covid allowed……we were overrun with flowers - so much so I wished people would send me a cake instead….several from family, from friends and work. This time round I have been clearly isolated in my caring role - just one, only one bunch of flowers 😢😢😢 from my mum’s brother. 3 or 4 friends only have sent cards….OR is it the social media culture whereby you get lots of FB comments ( which I did get) and then that’s it - quite possibly 😢😢😢

Back to work tomorrow. Will see how I go. Can take time off if find I need it, but SS fairly strict on the old compassionate leave 😢😢 My sister and brother [NHS & private sector ) have been told to take what they need.

random pics include the kindness shown me today by the community fridge! It’s new ish and they were advertising as I walked past. I explained I could afford food but she said that those who needed it had been and it was also open to those who didn’t like food waste! Planning food is stressful with bereavement brain so this was wonderful as no decisions needed - cooked with what I was given!
 

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Knitandpurl

Registered User
Aug 9, 2021
886
0
Lincolnshire
I don’t like waste either. The fridge freezer and cupboards all have to be nearly bare before I shop; and the lengths I will go to to try and use every single bit of yarn when I’m knitting…..
 

sdmhred

Registered User
Jan 26, 2022
2,515
0
Surrey
back to work 😢😢

Made it through the day 😀 tired and sluggish brain but managed to sort out emails, expenses etc…

A variety of feelings - at points I had to pinch myself that the last 3 years have actually happened….it felt just like working from home during covid…..but then close to 5pm it was bizarre. I’m used to rushing to get off to the home to help with supper and prior to that, mum and I used to pack up our tea and drive out to a local beauty spot. She was always so patient waiting for the 5pm tea bell to ring 🥰🥰🥰

I’ve plenty of work stories I can share working in severe mental health …I’ll choose some of my best In time. Yesterday I bumped into 4 old clients in town…I’m smiling at people in the street and in response 1) Gave me a two fingered salute 🙈🙈 2) Another of retired age and chronic schizophrenia stopped me and said they were on a get back to work programme 🤗🤗 3) Gave me a pretty normal I know you but don’t know you look - phew he was well then otherwise I’d have got a load of verbal 4) Millionaire but wearing shabby trousers and trainers only I would have known 🤣🤣

Took a walk through the town tonight - sooo many people out heading to pubs and restaurants- very bizarre as last time I walked the streets it was covid…

so my take homes from today are

1) Rest, rest and rest…..watch as much TV as i like and loll on park benches
2) Definitely don’t let myself slip forever back into boring normal mundane life
3) Get me out to the countryside as much as I can

🖥🏞🛤✈️🚝
 

jennifer1967

Registered User
Mar 15, 2020
24,959
0
Southampton
back to work 😢😢

Made it through the day 😀 tired and sluggish brain but managed to sort out emails, expenses etc…

A variety of feelings - at points I had to pinch myself that the last 3 years have actually happened….it felt just like working from home during covid…..but then close to 5pm it was bizarre. I’m used to rushing to get off to the home to help with supper and prior to that, mum and I used to pack up our tea and drive out to a local beauty spot. She was always so patient waiting for the 5pm tea bell to ring 🥰🥰🥰

I’ve plenty of work stories I can share working in severe mental health …I’ll choose some of my best In time. Yesterday I bumped into 4 old clients in town…I’m smiling at people in the street and in response 1) Gave me a two fingered salute 🙈🙈 2) Another of retired age and chronic schizophrenia stopped me and said they were on a get back to work programme 🤗🤗 3) Gave me a pretty normal I know you but don’t know you look - phew he was well then otherwise I’d have got a load of verbal 4) Millionaire but wearing shabby trousers and trainers only I would have known 🤣🤣

Took a walk through the town tonight - sooo many people out heading to pubs and restaurants- very bizarre as last time I walked the streets it was covid…

so my take homes from today are

1) Rest, rest and rest…..watch as much TV as i like and loll on park benches
2) Definitely don’t let myself slip forever back into boring normal mundane life
3) Get me out to the countryside as much as I can

🖥🏞🛤✈️🚝
sounds good, make the most of each day
 

sdmhred

Registered User
Jan 26, 2022
2,515
0
Surrey
Ooh Holme For Gardens was one of mum and dads favourite stomping grounds 🥰🥰🥰 I thought of the Banjoman last weekend as I walked past his care home. I find it very sad as you can see masks and clinical boxes just abandoned in the entrance, and before they secured the windows you could see files too.

i will definitely be down some point after the funeral and let you know ….
 

Alisongs

Registered User
May 17, 2024
337
0
East of England
back to work 😢😢

Made it through the day 😀 tired and sluggish brain but managed to sort out emails, expenses etc…

A variety of feelings - at points I had to pinch myself that the last 3 years have actually happened….it felt just like working from home during covid…..but then close to 5pm it was bizarre. I’m used to rushing to get off to the home to help with supper and prior to that, mum and I used to pack up our tea and drive out to a local beauty spot. She was always so patient waiting for the 5pm tea bell to ring 🥰🥰🥰

I’ve plenty of work stories I can share working in severe mental health …I’ll choose some of my best In time. Yesterday I bumped into 4 old clients in town…I’m smiling at people in the street and in response 1) Gave me a two fingered salute 🙈🙈 2) Another of retired age and chronic schizophrenia stopped me and said they were on a get back to work programme 🤗🤗 3) Gave me a pretty normal I know you but don’t know you look - phew he was well then otherwise I’d have got a load of verbal 4) Millionaire but wearing shabby trousers and trainers only I would have known 🤣🤣

Took a walk through the town tonight - sooo many people out heading to pubs and restaurants- very bizarre as last time I walked the streets it was covid…

so my take homes from today are

1) Rest, rest and rest…..watch as much TV as i like and loll on park benches
2) Definitely don’t let myself slip forever back into boring normal mundane life
3) Get me out to the countryside as much as I can

🖥🏞🛤✈️🚝
Here's another plan (that works to stop me feeling isolated)
Just smile and make a small comment to someone you see in a shop, on the street, on public transport... Whatever.....
Your dog is happy today
I love that colour on you
That shopping trolley looks handy
That should lead to a short conversation. When you see them again, smile, say hello and carry on from there.

I have loads of people I look out for when I'm in town
 

Rachael03

Registered User
Apr 17, 2023
119
0
1) Rest, rest and rest…..watch as much TV as i like and loll on park benches
2) Definitely don’t let myself slip forever back into boring normal mundane life
3) Get me out to the countryside as much as I can

I love number 1 and 3 on this list.

I can understand the intention with number 2...but 'boring' can sometimes be labelled in place of simplicity, ease, gentle pace. Just keep doing you. If covid and caring teaches us anything, its appreicating the small things, which you seem to do very well thriugh all the thoughtful posts you share. I find your insights anything but boring ☺️