Dh has died - the MN Aunties are helping me keep on

[JuanPotatoTwo]

New thread, not very imaginative title sorry! I can't remember how to link - having a blank moment.

Thanks for the link Petally - that's twice you've come to my link aid! And thanks for the help on that thread book and Squirrels. Zebra too but she's not over here I don't think.

I keep saying it because it continues to amaze me - people are so kind going out of their way to help strangers.

book not read any Jacqueline Winspear, sounds promising. Cake (glad you like the thought of being an MN Aunty) which Stephen King would you suggest for a first read?

Hi Drama - is there anything interesting happening in the tennis world I need to know about?! Like I said yesterday, I haven't switched on the tv or radio nor read a paper. Have no interest in anything really. However I don't want magi thinking the way is clear for her!

Selena 8 is pretty high, but of course as you say better than 11. It must be so very hard seeing him suffer. No, they don't deserve this.

Right, just a good night from me now Juan - I do hope you can relax and allow yourself to sleep .
Thoughts and prayers xx

Tennis you say... Let me see. Rafa and Roger going well in Miami, Djok and Murray giving it a miss, the lovely Pot got beaten by Roger earlier in the week and sadly his wrist seemed to be giving him trouble again... I have come late to the charms of Pot, but I have decided he is indeed rather fetching just don't tell magi

Actually, a bit of gentle tennis watching might be an idea if you fancied it? If you have Sky, Miami is on atm - and it's on during the night so might be a distraction if you can't sleep. I find boring matches quite soporific at times, and nod off on the couch zzzz

I'm trying to think of book recommendations but my usual genre is crime fiction, so might be a bit dark.

I liked Fidelis Morgan's mystery novels set in the 17th century. They are a bit bawdy and quite fun, not too heavy.

Hope you manage some sleep tonight x

Night book

Drama oh no, hope Pot's wrist isn't going to give him trouble, that would just be so so unfair and surely spell the end for him. Part of the reason I have a crush I'm drawn to him is he reminds me of Dh. Not so much physically but the mental strength to keep getting up again despite being knocked down over and over again.

Dh and I were going to go to Monte Carlo in April - I've been three times before but with the dc. We were going to go just the two of us this time. I don't have Sky but I do have TennisTv - maybe these nights would be a good time to get back into it. Thank you for that idea.

night night Juan night night Aunties. Here's to everyone sleeping soundly.

Morning, Juan, hope you had a better night.

I've got very little to contribute here other than to say I'm still thinking of you, but I think the many references to Aunties on the thread may be why I'm thinking of P. G. Wodehouse as suggested reading. I could re-read anything of his any time. Another great favourite of mine is Diary of a Nobody. Having written that, it occurs to me that humorous writing is possibly not what you're after at the moment, but maybe a little way down the line.

Hallo, Pesky.

Hope you slept last night. Am with Drama (only she can get off Pot) in that watching some tennis might be a good thing. Not very demanding & could be soporific.

I feel like the luckiest man alive

Hi Juan, found your latest thread. Your description of Mark and his gratitude and awareness of the wonderful gifts in his life help us to know him better, thank you.

I hope it's a source of comfort to you that he felt that way. He will have felt the warmth of your love constantly, there is no finer gift that you could have bestowed on him.

I always live with the belief that one should never delay the expressions of love for another day, hour or minute. Do it while you can because life is fragile and you never know what's round the corner. It sounds like you and Mark were like that, and just think, you never need worry in case he didn't realise you loved him, because he always did!

Morning Juan - hope you managed sleep.
Now I am a (sort of )tennis fan , but really only watch Wimbledon and a bit of French Open- so not a serious one. Old enough that my favourites were John Newcombe ( those shorts!) and Bjorn Borg , and later Stefan Edberg. I can't quite get to really love anyone now - the style has changed so much - .:)

Morning all. Gasp PG Wodehouse is a great shout. I have the complete volume somewhere, I'll dig it out.

magi you're right, tennis would ordinarily be a good distraction. But I find I can't summon up any enthusiasm for anything which was a big part of my life with Mark. I'll have to overcome this or else I'll struggle to be enthusiastic about anything. Don't be fighting with Drama now, she's young and innocent and doesn't know that you fight dirty ... .

How are things with you today Squirrels? And with you Selena?

Morning daisy and book. That's a lovely post daisy, thank you. Mark did indeed think himself a lucky man, it was humbling sometimes to see his approach to life. And it is comforting to think/hope that he knew how loved he was.

book I used to like Stefan too, and Nastase!

Good morning.

Been to church with the infant school for their Easter service. Now just enjoying a quick bit of peace before the holiday descends on us.

I started reading these age 13 so my memory is quite hazy now. I loved all of their stuff - both Koontz and King. A good starter is probably something like Carrie or It. He also wrote The Green Mile which I found very moving. Just worried it's a bit dark for the moment. I also love James Patterson and Patricia Cornwall books. Don't make time to read any more adds to the to do list

Hugs to all of the bereaved and those supporting spouses who are suffering.

Hoping all is going as well as it can re letter writing - sending lots of strength for the day xx

Hi Juan I don't know if you like Sue Townsend but The Public Confessions of a Middle Aged Woman is a collection of columns she wrote so you don't need to concentrate too hard and it's funny.

I'm pleased you got some short term relief Juan

But obviously yes GP's is wise for long term help.

It took me 3/4 months to get my sleeping pattern back on track. I'm not an expert but I imagine it's quite common, if your being strong for other people all day it will be the night when everything catches up with you.

Hi Everyone,

It's my birthday today and the sun has shone! We're going out for a meal in a couple of weeks when my son's partner is on Easter hols (primary teacher) in the hopes that my husband is feeling slightly better from the RT then.

But he and I managed to get to the dizzy heights of a local cafe for his favourite poached eggs on toast. Round trip of about 3/4 mile walking for him and he managed it! So proud of him and touched that he was so determined to make it just for me. He fell asleep and still is as soon as we got home.

We're waiting for an Occ Therapist referral as it's time for wheelchair 'just in case' etc. Wish I had the energy to clear the space, and also the money, for a homelift (not a stairlift though) - can see all sorts of advantages in one of those - unless someone knows different?

Hope all is as well as it can be with you all? I've just started GH's Venetia again.

Happy Birthday, Selina 🎂and well done 👍Mr Valentina ❤️

Juan I haven't posted on you threads before but I just wanted to say that you write so beautifully about Mark. It sounds like he had found true contentment with his life.

I'm off to Rome next week and I'll light a candle for you both while I'm there as I'm sure I'll be visiting a church or seven . I know you said you aren't religious so perhaps you could see it as a beacon - lighting the way for when you go there. I think you said on your first thread that it was somewhere you had talked about going - forgive me if I've got that wrong.

I like to listen to the crime serials on the iplayer radio app. I usually have them on while I'm ironing but also like them when DH is away and I'm struggling to get to sleep. There is a 5 part adaptation of 'At Bertram's Hotel' by Agatha Christie on currently with June Whitfield as Miss Marple. It's very soothing to have someone 'read' to me as I fall asleep.

Thank you Petally. He's now awake and sorting socks, with the usual moans about the washer eating one of his favourite pair.

Glad you got to do something relatively normal Selena Happy birthday.

Happy birthday Selena - lovely story to share!

Juan if you find reading and watching aren't cutting it, and are into podcasts, you might try listening to This American Life. Beautifully made radio series, all different topics and shows are an hour, with several segments usually on the same theme but from different viewpoints. I do love my NPR!

Happy Birthday Selena and what an achievement on your dh's part. That's proper determination in action. Squirrels I'm aware I haven't been over to your thread for a while but I think of you many times a day. Dd was asking me earlier how you were doing too.

Thank you Woolly for your kind words. And yes I did mention Rome - Mark said he'd like to go with me this year so myself, the dc, his siblings, couple of his friends and P are going to try to arrange a weekend there at some point. I hope you have a wonderful time there - and how absolutely lovely of you to say you'll light a candle.

Dd and ds2 have had a big falling out this evening :(. They do this occasionally and declare everlasting hatred for each other. Both of them are annoyed at me because I won't take sides, and if past rows are anything to go by, there'll be an atmosphere for days :(. I hate conflict. Mark did too but he was an ace mediator. I need him to come and talk sense to the pair of them. Ds1, as if to underline his siblings behaviour (which he didn't know about), came home from work tonight having bought me a new toaster (old one is broken) and some new oven gloves.

Just saying hello.
I won't update on my day here Juan as I've just done that on my thread. I went to see John's body today, so sad but then okay this afternoon and evening.

I haven't read for weeks. Didn't have the capacity in the last few weeks before John died. We just watched TV together and I played mindless games on my ipad. And haven't had the inclination since.

Happy birthday Selena, sounds like a good day.