Let's raise a glass

[Hobnobswantshernameback]

It's Christmas Eve.
just taking a moment out of the crazy to remember
Raising a glass to my dad. 10 years gone
lost to the curse of dementia before that
wishing you could have known your grandchildren better
to dad

To mum and dad. I miss you both every day but I always struggle more at Christmas.

To DFIL a lovely, gentle man.

I wish you could all have had more time with your grandchildren.

@mrsbyers my dad had Parkinson's too. Horrible disease.

This is a sad thread but it is so, so full of love ❤️

To both my mum and dad

Raising a glass of Red Bush whiskey to my beautiful son, our 3rd Christmas without him, it's not easier, it's harder. He gave life to four men, I raise a glass to thier families on behalf of my love x

Glass raised x

To my big brother, who died aged 41 in June. I miss you everyday. Xx

To my awesome best friend who died five years ago. She loved Christmas. I miss her so very much. And my beautiful granny who died in October who meant the world to me.

To my beautiful sister who passed two days ago. My god it hurts more than words can describe but I know you are in a better place so I will raise a glass to you. Merry Christmas to my best friend and the best auntie to my girls.

To my dear dad, gone fifty years and still so desperately missed. We were babies and didn't have the chance to know you, to be shaped by you and your loving nature. We've heard how good and lovely you were, but to be without any memory of you at all hurts so badly. We would have loved you so much. It's so hard.

So many others also gone, but FIL, we loved you dearly to the bottom of your loving, generous, gentlemanly soul; you were a terrific father and grandad, we miss you so much.

Thank you for this space. This year has been tough.. struggling to see the point in life when there is so much pain and loss and most of it, I have just witnessed second hand. My son has watched 4 of his friends suffered the death of a parent, I was close to two of their partners.. I could never find a silver lining or a comforting word to say. I could only see grief and sadness. In my parents generation, 4 aunties / uncles have died, several more are very ill. One has been awful to my cousin and she has asked me to remind her not to be a hypocrite after she dies. There are two family 'secrets' that people seem to be waiting until the protagonists die, before they are willing to openly discuss. This week my wonderful aunt died.. she had a horrible husband, looked after her father in law for half his life, put up with a huge amount of crap but could always be counted on to be welcoming and kind to everyone, regardless of the wrongs done to her. Only part of the truth is discussed after death.. the myth lives on and the bad parts are conveniently excluded from the narrative.

To my dad who I never met cos I was due 3 months after you passed.
To my great niece who went silently at 8 weeks.
To my gran and bampy who are in my thoughts every day.

To M it’s only been 5 weeks but feels far too long

To my Dad, Nana and GanGan and Grandma and Grandad

But most of all to our 5 Babies who never made it, and 4th angelversary to our Christmas Day Baby.

To my son, father and father in law. All males I love I have lost, apart from my beautiful DH. Xmas is always bittersweet but we appreciate even more our wonderful daughters, while never forgetting. Love and peace to all.

To my beloved grandma
dad
sister
step mum
mum who I never understood

Mom - always ❤️
Nanny and Grandad who loved Christmas 🎄
Auntie Maud who loved washing up at Christmas 🤶🏻

Such an emotional thread but great to have a place to remember a loved one who has passed.

To Uncle J - so much part of Christmas and cousin. - your DC are still a credit to you

To my Grandma who I'd have loved to have met my daughter. They would have adored each other.

To my other Grandma who did get to meet her but isn't here any more.

To my Grandma-in-law who welcomed me so wonderfully to the family.

To our long time friend who we lost almost 2 years ago, far too soon in his 30's.

To my Mum's best friend who was such a big part of my childhood and young adulthood.

To several friends mourning the children that should be in their arms and aren't.

To my mum. She made Christmas - and indeed my whole life - magical. Hope I can be half the woman and mother she was.

What a beautiful thread. Raising a glass to all of yours.

Remembering my beautiful Stepfather, whose kind, gentle and constant presence was never fully appreciated until it was no longer there.

Just catching up with the thread
thinkIng of you all today
grief is the price we pay for love
x