BBC Songs of Praise featured an episode on faith and grief. This includes interviews with Abi May and several participants from Living with Loss retreats. You can view the programme here (External link to BBC IPlayer. Available for one year. First broadcast Sunday 15th January) If you’re not in the UK or if the link…
“The new normal” is a phrase often used in grief circles. It carries the idea that following bereavement, not only are your circumstances changed, but you are too. It can happen suddenly or it might be more subtle. How we react to what is going on around us might be one manifestation. Crowded rooms filled…
Today is Mother’s Day in the UK. I write this in honour of all mothers, but particularly those who are missing their deceased babies and children at this moment. It’s also a bit more of my story. I have had two completed pregnancies. The first pregnancy was with dear Pax and took place in Pakistan.…
Grief can make you sick. It doesn’t mean that it will, but it can. It’s quite common in the acute early days of bereavement for your health to suffer. Loss of appetite or overeating ‘comfort foods’, loss of motivation for exercise and activity, or turning to drink or drugs in a vain attempt to dull…
This post is dedicated to Women and Mothers in recognition of International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day (19th March in the UK). I write this as a bereaved mother, sister and daughter. When a baby is born, a mother has already had 9 months of close relationship – as close as it is possible to…
If you visit a cemetery and have a quick glance around, almost always the graves that are the best cared for and most highly decorated are those of children. (This isn’t permissible in every graveyard, sadly.) It seems as a parent that one bit of caring we can still do after our child has died…
There are lots of circumstances that can cause us to feel as though we are falling apart. Serious health problems – our own or loved ones. Relationship problems. And of course bereavement, which is the main focus of this blog. Falling apart from grief might be something you have experienced. Some people are of the…
(A post for widows, widowers and anyone who has been bereaved of their spouse, partner or “significant other”.) Every supermarket seems to be selling a Valentine’s Day ‘Dine at Home’ offer this year. Starters, main course, sides, dessert and wine – for two. For two. But what if you’re only one? What if you have…
Esther Birtwistle has been helping me run the LWL retreats and offering pastoral support to participants since 2018. As a widow, her journey through grief has taken her in different directions to my own, but somehow, on that journey, we met up. Esther is an invaluable member of the Living with Loss team and I…
A Valley Journal 
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