My mum struggled with asthma badly as a child and she was put on the train at Victoria station Manchester once a year from the age of 6 by her mother to travel alone and to be met in Southport and taken by pony n trap to a chest clinic and her bed was outside on a verandah.
Fresh sea air was the answer.
She was there for a month alone with just two visits from her parents because they couldn’t afford the fare more than twice.
That’s how they tried to treat asthma in the 1930’s. Sent away alone at the age of 6. Imagine that these days..???
This left a lasting impression on my mum who was very homely and kept family very close.
She was a marvellous woman and fiercely protective of those who she loved but an absolute nightmare if crossed…
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Morning everyone,
it is a dry start to the morning weather wise.
Meeting a friend today.
I know weekends are tough for many of us so I hope you find some moments of
peace and comfort.
Take care, hugs for those who need them x
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Morning All
I made myself get up and go do a grocery shop this morning. The fridge was not looking good. It was quite quiet in the store which helped because I didn’t feel like chatting with anybody, as I normally see people I know in there.
Anyways I have my SiL coming at noon and we are going into town, which I’m sure will be very busy but it gets me out and I will see someone over the holiday weekend. As I’m really struggling this time.
I hope whatever you will be doing it’s not too painful for you as holidays are hard on this journey.
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You do have to go at your own pace, I find that. Sending hugs 
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How lovely 
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Good morning, that’s a lovely picture. It’s dull and windy here again, I hope to get out for a walk later. Have a good day everyone 
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Enjoy your time with your friend. Sending hugs
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I feel much the same. I hate the mornings as my adrenaline won’t let me sleep much past 7am. I was never a morning person but now I’m jolted awake and always feel so cold. The house has an oppressive silence since my beloved partner passed suddenly six months ago. I worry about everything, especially the maintenance issues with the house. It just doesn’t feel like home now that he’s gone. Fortunately I have a couple of friends and family who keep in touch but I spend a lot of time alone as well. I really hate not being part of a couple any more, I m sorry you don’t have anyone, that makes the loneliness so much worse. Have you considered a widower support group if there are any in your area? I find just going to the shopping center and having a coffee takes my mind off my troubles briefly, at least there’s human contact even though I’m sitting there alone. I wish I could offer something more positive but it’s a horrible journey navigating through grief. Take care.
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Hi John,
I just introduced myself on the forum.
My wife died abroad so I kind of slipped through the net of a lot of support. I find McMillan and Cancer Research adds really annoying, as they’re so different from our experience.
It’s really nice to find this forum, something that exists outside of Facebook. I can’t cope with Facebook, not that I have trouble with other people, but I’m driven mad by the algorithm.
As for my boiler, one of the first things I did was cancel the maintenance contract. I don’t use it much, and 3 years later, it’s now 2 years out of warranty, but still ticking over.
Best wishes to you, and all.
Stephen
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Oh I’m sorry John,
My response above was to the beginning of this thread, and I’ve just seen your last post. So I want to read through, and I will, but just now I must go down the allotment and get things going.
Best wishes,
S.
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tried to get out a bit today but its a day of crying, back home is so lonely now,everywhere I go today I have to get back in car cry,back home its never ending the grief,loss,pain, what to do.
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I bet it was similar to the place mum went.
Must have been awful for you as well being so very young.
My mum didn’t understand and thought she was being sent away because she was the naughtiest of her brothers n sisters..
My John remembered the sanatorium which was right on the sea front of Southport.
He lived there from the age of 10 and played around that area.
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I’m the same Spike, having a really bad day. Started off okay, but went steadily downhill. Have been crying for hours. This pain in my heart is so bad…
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I’m glad some of you seem to have nice(ish) weather this morning, here in Porthmadog it certainly isn’t, it’s wet at the moment keeps getting heavier then easing off again. I think yesterday’s trip on the train was the worst visibility of all the times (which is a lot) I’ve ever travelled on it! I did feel sorry for those who’s first trip it was, especially those who were in the first class carriage with me. The railway has the only spiral of track in this country, usually you can see the short distance across to where you’re going, but not yesterday! You couldn’t see far beyond the sides of track! I had to pop to the Tesco afterwards it took me 20minutes to drive the short distance from the station to Tesco. Tesco was absolutely heaving I only needed 4 items but the checkout queues were so long you couldn’t get round the aisles, it took me nearly an hour to get the few things I needed! When I got back to the site I also timed it badly, the new arrivals in the static caravans were all queuing to get in, it took me 20minutes from joining the queue to even turn into the entry road! There’s a lot of the caravans & motorhomes around me who’ve left this morning, so I’m sure there’ll be lots of new neighbours later, I’m not planning to go anywhere today, just a lazy(ish) day in or around the caravan depending on the weather.
Have as good a day as you can everyone, hope
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What started as a bright day has now turned into a grey overcast with a few showers. We are going to get strong winds later on . I went to Asda this afternoon with my daughter in law . It was quite quiet, hope the weather doesn’t spoil your break to much .
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Goodnight John. I hope everyone has a good night x
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Hello everyone. I have only responded to some of the smaller posts before, but I thought I would reach out to the wider, wonderful community we have here. I lost my wife of 25 years, Donna in 2022. I know it is not a recent loss, but for some reason, I am really struggling today. It is not a special date, there is no particular reason I can name or qualify why I am feeling like this today. I have recently tried to get involved more on this site and help others that need it far more than I. I am not special by any means, most peoples stories reduce me to tears, but for a so called “roughty toughty” man (Ha! Ridiculous!) today I just feel totally broken. I met Donna when I was 21, we dated, had children, got married, so far, so normal. I lost her suddenly when she was just 44. I always pictured us growing old and grey together. Now I am coming up to 50, I am going grey, but the love of my life is not with me. I am lucky enough to have two wonderful children from Donna, they keep me sane (for the most part! 
) but there is a piece of me that died when she did and I know I can never replace it. Don’t misunderstand me, I can still have good days, fun with friends, etc. But the world seems monochrome now, the drinks sour and the food ashes. I keep on going, life is precious after all and I would never desert my kids (adults in their own right now, but even so) There is no specific point to this post. I just wanted to have a rant I suppose and I hope you will all bear with me! My apologies and also thanks to everyone that has ever sent me a kind word! I promise I will keep trying to do the same for others too. Matt x
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Hi brummy,
I hope you managed today ok. Thinking about you tomorrow.
Take care.
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Matt9,
You have nothing to apologise for. This crap path never ends. We are allowed these days, sometimes we can’t fight it,and just have to go with the tide. Look after yourself.
Take care.
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Dear Matt
That’s a lovely post. I’m so glad I found this group too. Like you I try to help on posts if I’m having a good day but I also share the bad ones and the struggles I’m facing. No one judges you here and there are many people very willing to help. Just knowing there are people who understand and people who have been through the same worries and thoughts helps.
I try not to think of the future without my husband as much as possible, I just can’t. It’s been over 8 months now since he died suddenly and I still can’t believe it at times. I know one day he’ll be waiting for me, until that time I’ll keep going doing the best I can. It’s all we can do.
I hope tomorrow is a better day, for all of us x
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