Is it that time of year?

Very sad, Soutra.

Sorry to read about these bereavements Soutra. We had a similar thing this time last year, the death of 3 friends in quick succession. All of them, as you said 'no age'.

Sorry to hear about your loss Soutra. It does shake you to your boots sometimes doesn't it, especially when people are around the same age as oneself.

It is, I think, our time of life as well as the time of year. I remember when I was in my forties, I felt any marriage break-ups in our family or group of friends very keenly. I imagine we are wondering if it will be us next.

Soutra you are right it is 'that time of year'. DD1 who is an independent celebrant presided over 7 funerals last week and had to turn down another 3 which she could not fit in. She had another funeral this morning and on checking her messages afterwards found 2 funeral directors trying to advance book her but no time or date yet organised as all slots already taken at the crematorium this week. It is a known fact among those in the funeral 'business' that January and early February are much the busiest time of year. A friend who was a nursing sister said that very ill people used up the last of their strength in an enormous effort to reach their goal of Christmas and/or New Year and then simply gave up and passed away soon after.

I am sorry for your loss and agree that it does hit harder when it is someone the same age or younger than ourselves

Soutra How sad to learn of the deaths of three people who were close to you in such a short space of time. Maybe it seems more painful because January and February are often such bleak months and all the things we look forward to – spring, lighter evenings, warmer weather, spring or summer holidays, etc. – seem so far away. Of course, we are all that age when the deaths of our contemporaries begin to come thick and fast and whatever time of year, bereavement is always sad and painful.