Soop's kitchen for kindly folk...

‘Evening All’

Such a reassuring result from your hospital procedure LLFL a huge relief for you I bet.

We attended the infants Harvest Festival assembly this morning in the school hall.. L’il Miss and all her Y1 class singing their hearts out. Sun streaming in through the windows, falling upon autumn colours and earnest little faces. It was short but so sweet.

Thank you, everyone, once again. Today I took DD home into the High Peak district. She has not seen her boys for quite some time so was glad to get home. They know she has been in hospital for an operation and is still poorly. DD and P (partner) will tell them what they deem fitting this weekend.

We left OG's house in misty conditions but the sun was warm when I sat by myself in the garden with a mug of tea while the tears rose in my heart and gathered to my eyes, as Tennyson would say. I let them run.

MrB asked how DD was in herself. He meant psychologically. I told him that she is her usual brave and stoical self.

Dear Baggs, Much love and a shed load of gentle cuddles to help yourself to when in need of either. Let them run indeed. Look after yourself too dear friend. X

Oh, baggs. No words are adequate I'm afraid.

Just more hugs and love.

Oh Baggs such pain and heartache. That poor little family too this weekend. x

Baggs.

I don’t follow this thread but do read Good Morning (often at night) which is where I’ve heard the awful news regarding Bagg’s DD. I have no meaningful words of solace to offer but it is impossible not to feel deeply upset. I wish the family all my very best wishes.

Baggs the gentlest of hugs and an arm around your shoulders ❤️

Baggs, and a hug, I’m so sad for you.

That’s a relief ladylfl. I’m pleased for you.

Wishing everyone a good nights sleep. TOYA

A facebook memory from DD3 came up yesterday in she, almost 13 at the time, said I was "99% dragon mum". Not sure what she meant but at the time I reckoned that meant she was the dragon. I looked up dragon mum and found an article in huffpost from that same year:

www.huffpost.com/entry/dragon-mothers-and-grieving-parents_b_2956023

There is no one fiercer or scarier or more real in this world than a dragon mother. Dragon mothers are mothers who grieve for children who have died or are terminally ill. Dragon mothers breathe fire and scorch everything in their path.
by Judy Bolton-Fasman, Huffpost Mar 27, 2013 updated May 27, 2013

Judy B-F is writing about Emily Rapp whose 3yo son died of Tay-Sachs. “Having a child confirms our mortality and, as Rapp notes, the truth about life is that ‘it exists side by side with death’.”

I think Emily Rapp is asking her readers for something deeper than empathy or sympathy. She raises the stakes by asking us to "look straight at [death] without blinking." Perhaps openly grappling with death is the radical act of empathy we are obligated to bestow on grieving parents and dragon mothers.

Not sure I feel fierce or scary but I do feel I'm looking straight at my first child's death without blinking. That is what she needs from me right now.

Plan is to go back to Scotland and my little job there for a couple of weeks and then come back to Derbyshire for some time with DD1 and family. This will be on rinse and repeat for as long as is needful.

Baggs my heartfelt sympathy for the horrible time you are going through. I am forwarding you strength hope and love, a message I was sent recently by one of my friends. You may need to be fierce too so that your daughter gets the care and support she needs.

Baggs my heart goes out to you and your family. I am sending you strength to continue giving your DD and her family support in the only way a mother can.
For you a gentle hug.

Baggs You are a wonderful lady in every conceivable way.

Baggs the heartache is horrendous but you are facing up to it as every mother does. Let the tears flow, she is your little girl.

soop is exactly right baggs. Sending love. .

Baggs I know you and know you will find the strength to give your firstborn what she needs. Sending much love. ♥️

Baggs nothing to add, you and your DD are in my thoughts and prayers.

You need to be strong for her and her little family, you also need to take care of yourself so that you have that strength. Please be gentle and kind to yourself ???

Baggs sending much love and support, and to second exactly what GG13 has already said ?

I'm thinking of you, your daughter & family, Baggs, as you cope with these tough times. Take care.

Warm thoughts for all.

(I'm out of contact until early next week, (( at the NW Norfolk coast).)

I need to keep myself busy. Thoughts of Baggs and her lovely daughter and little family continue to haunt me. If Baggs can stay strong, then I must channel my sadness and lethargy into something positive. The wardrobes are about to be blitzed.

Keeping you and your dear family in my heart and in my thoughts Baggs. Hoping for the best.

Good afternoon dear Kitcheners. Mr. B and I have been out for a drive and a lunch of fish and chips in a lovely village pub. I’m ready for a nap now, snuggled in my Oodie and full of good food.

Safe travels Baggs, you and your family are never far from my thoughts at the moment

Take care Baggs on your travels .Blossoming that lunch sounds good ,I occasionally fancy fish ?and chips but often disappointed when I have them.

Thinking of you and your family Baggs???
OH is out shooting this afternoon. I’ve prepared the room for son and his family. They are arriving early evening. He is bringing steak etc., with him and will cook dinner. They live in Kew and the butcher there is very good. So, I am sitting on the sofa with a cat or two. I watched Ms Truss and all the political shenanigans. My first thought was whether she has a death wish…

These were delicious hulahoop, succulent fish in a light crispy batter. The chips were probably frozen but were well cooked and perfectly acceptable.