Not much makes my eyes prick with tears, but this did!
I could really hear your lovely Dad’s voice.
My Dad was a Geordie - he really tried to lose the accent (for many reasons) here in Oz - but he always said one like “wan”, four like “foo-er”, and cushion like “cahsh’n”. Or something like that. It’s a month off forty years since he died. I see him now in my sons, who he never met. I know he would be over-the-moon proud of them. Sometimes I still feel him around, over my left shoulder. ☺️
You are so lucky to have stories to remember and tell from your parents.
My parents had so much trauma locked away, they never spoke of their history. And they fought like Russia and Ukraine.
Oh Sarah that's so lovely, and sad, and so beautifully expressed. It's funny, the trauma of my parents was always locked until my brother died, and then a whole load of it tumbled out. It has settled now in a strange way, so I am gathering the essence of their lives without the trauma - that is not mine to write. It's more about exploring who they were and what they experienced in the world through noticing the small things, without me triggering any eruptions!! It's a delicate balance but wonderful to do, and I feel very lucky to have one willing parent left to share this with me. I love the sound of your Dad, I'm sure he's never far from your left shoulder. Much love to you too, and thank you 💕🙏
This is so beautiful, Emma and was made more special by the wonderful photographs. I am so delighted that you will write a second book about your family.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my mum recently so this really touched me. She died four years ago and I don’t really have conversations with her like this. Maybe I should. Are you at Gladstone Library, Emma? I’ve just been in for a hot chocolate as we are staying nearby for a few days.
It's a funny thing, and I don't think it happened straight away. My brother died 17 years ago and I talk to him all the time. I'm always asking him questions, and there's always an answer in some way or another, same as with Dad. Yes I am at Gladstone's!!! Although I've just popped to the Hawarden Farm Shop for a change of scenery. I leave in the morning. Whereabouts are you? The cafe is lovely, would be great to say hello!! x
This is so lovely and so honest. My mum has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t talk any more, but I talk to her when I’m tired, when I’m by the sea, in the sea, on a walk, in an art gallery. I always know what she would say.
Oh Bonnie, I'm so sorry. I'm glad you still get to speak with her, and yes - always by the sea, that's such a special deep connection to the fabric of life. Much love xx
This is so beautiful Emma, I feel the love that comes through those conversations. I am sometimes surprised at the grief that arises sometimes. I didn’t always get on with my dad, but we got closer before he died. I’ll often speak with him, ask him what I should do. He always replies “keep going kiddo”, which gives me the strength for another round! Such blessed opportunities to have that support. 💫🙏
'keep going kiddo'...love that. That would be the ethos of my dad for sure. Yes grief continues to surprise me, and I think it will forever be that way, although it is more of a reflective grief now than a sharp, agonising one. It's form changes... Much love ❤️
🥲🥲🥲 I love having these conversations with my dad. I randomly started talking to him after he died “can you believe I’m moving back to Yorkshire dad?”
“Yes love” he’d reply.
“What do you think of the new Elton John remix dad?”
“I love it”
Then I found one I’d (unconsciously) recorded in my journal the week I found myself completely disabled by illness. As I took back the reigns of creation for my own health, He was telling me “you know what you’re doing” as if cheer leading me on! I cannot remember the conversation (it was 2am scribbles). But it’s the main message I receive on and off for the past 6 years.
Might have another conversation with him about my book - thanks for the inspo🥲
Oh my goodness, the conversation was deep, insightful on another level. All about my book and what I need to know. Thanks so much for the inspiration! I wouldn’t have uncovered what I have without it🙏🗝️🕺🏽💃🏼
Thanks so much - you know what, he really was. One of life's good ones. I was truly lucky indeed. It makes me ache for him all the more but he had already guided my way in life. He's like my North star x
I find talking to my dead family members therapeutic and comforting at times. They died, but they still exist to some extent within me, my sister and my father.
Oh gosh! My dad died mid January this year. At first I was sad, but also had a sense of relief that he had escaped the Alzheimer’s that had taken hold of him and he was no longer suffering. Now I am starting to miss him in a truer sense. The Dad he was before his gradual decline and his voice was, literally, taken away from him. I miss his measured words, his kindness and his dimpled smile…
Oh I love that description - his dimpled smile. I feel he would have had the same kind eyes that my dad did. I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. It ebbs and flows in its form, but I do love my conversations with him. I can see his eyes when I picture him and feel safe, although I do miss him desperately. I hope you find some comfort in your conversations when you are ready to have them ❤️
Beautiful Emma. Just this afternoon I was encouraging someone to write a letter to her father who died 5 years ago. These conversations are so important. I'm lucky enough, at age 50, to have two parents still alive, and I'm feeling compelled to capture and record their stories while they're still here to tell them. There is so much I regret not asking my grandparents when they were still alive, but I regularly talk to their photos on my bookshelf 😊
I wish I had captured conversations with my Dad while he was still alive. I thought about it so many times. I loved listening to their stories of going to tea dances, of all the mischief they used to get up to. I had always planned to bring a dictaphone (showing my age!!) round so we could chat after Sunday lunch and I could record some of it, but I just never did... if you get the chance, go for it 💕
interesting. It's funny isn't it, bringing a 'recording' device in does change things. I have been wondering whether to record the conversations I'm now having with my mum. I haven't yet, I just listen which is quite special, although I would love to have the opportunity to hear a voice if there becomes a time when I can't x
Awwwww - bless ❤️.
Not much makes my eyes prick with tears, but this did!
I could really hear your lovely Dad’s voice.
My Dad was a Geordie - he really tried to lose the accent (for many reasons) here in Oz - but he always said one like “wan”, four like “foo-er”, and cushion like “cahsh’n”. Or something like that. It’s a month off forty years since he died. I see him now in my sons, who he never met. I know he would be over-the-moon proud of them. Sometimes I still feel him around, over my left shoulder. ☺️
You are so lucky to have stories to remember and tell from your parents.
My parents had so much trauma locked away, they never spoke of their history. And they fought like Russia and Ukraine.
🤗 to you, and keep writing 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Oh Sarah that's so lovely, and sad, and so beautifully expressed. It's funny, the trauma of my parents was always locked until my brother died, and then a whole load of it tumbled out. It has settled now in a strange way, so I am gathering the essence of their lives without the trauma - that is not mine to write. It's more about exploring who they were and what they experienced in the world through noticing the small things, without me triggering any eruptions!! It's a delicate balance but wonderful to do, and I feel very lucky to have one willing parent left to share this with me. I love the sound of your Dad, I'm sure he's never far from your left shoulder. Much love to you too, and thank you 💕🙏
This is so beautiful, Emma and was made more special by the wonderful photographs. I am so delighted that you will write a second book about your family.
xx
Aah lovely Frances, thank you so much. It's a complex but beautiful undertaking, I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds. Much love 💕
I’ve been thinking a lot about my mum recently so this really touched me. She died four years ago and I don’t really have conversations with her like this. Maybe I should. Are you at Gladstone Library, Emma? I’ve just been in for a hot chocolate as we are staying nearby for a few days.
It's a funny thing, and I don't think it happened straight away. My brother died 17 years ago and I talk to him all the time. I'm always asking him questions, and there's always an answer in some way or another, same as with Dad. Yes I am at Gladstone's!!! Although I've just popped to the Hawarden Farm Shop for a change of scenery. I leave in the morning. Whereabouts are you? The cafe is lovely, would be great to say hello!! x
I’m staying in the Hawarden Estate. What time do you leave? I have to meet someone at 10am for an hour.
I’m leaving around 10 🥰
Thanks for sharing from your heart 🫶🏻🦋
❤️❤️🫶
This is so lovely and so honest. My mum has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t talk any more, but I talk to her when I’m tired, when I’m by the sea, in the sea, on a walk, in an art gallery. I always know what she would say.
Oh Bonnie, I'm so sorry. I'm glad you still get to speak with her, and yes - always by the sea, that's such a special deep connection to the fabric of life. Much love xx
This is so beautiful Emma, I feel the love that comes through those conversations. I am sometimes surprised at the grief that arises sometimes. I didn’t always get on with my dad, but we got closer before he died. I’ll often speak with him, ask him what I should do. He always replies “keep going kiddo”, which gives me the strength for another round! Such blessed opportunities to have that support. 💫🙏
'keep going kiddo'...love that. That would be the ethos of my dad for sure. Yes grief continues to surprise me, and I think it will forever be that way, although it is more of a reflective grief now than a sharp, agonising one. It's form changes... Much love ❤️
🥲🥲🥲 I love having these conversations with my dad. I randomly started talking to him after he died “can you believe I’m moving back to Yorkshire dad?”
“Yes love” he’d reply.
“What do you think of the new Elton John remix dad?”
“I love it”
Then I found one I’d (unconsciously) recorded in my journal the week I found myself completely disabled by illness. As I took back the reigns of creation for my own health, He was telling me “you know what you’re doing” as if cheer leading me on! I cannot remember the conversation (it was 2am scribbles). But it’s the main message I receive on and off for the past 6 years.
Might have another conversation with him about my book - thanks for the inspo🥲
Aah I love that - love that he likes the new Elton John remix. Good man. I reckon it's time to tap him up for another chat. Much love my friend 💕
Oh my goodness, the conversation was deep, insightful on another level. All about my book and what I need to know. Thanks so much for the inspiration! I wouldn’t have uncovered what I have without it🙏🗝️🕺🏽💃🏼
Wow wow wow ❤️❤️❤️❤️ this is brilliant. I’m so glad xx
Emma - truly beautiful. Your father sounds like a right decent chap. Those of us with amazing fathers are truly lucky. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much - you know what, he really was. One of life's good ones. I was truly lucky indeed. It makes me ache for him all the more but he had already guided my way in life. He's like my North star x
I love this so much 💗 It brought tears to my eyes. Really lovely.
I love this so much 💗 It brought tears to my eyes. Really lovely.
bless you, thank you ❤️
Hahahaha sorry it went so many times but I did enjoy it that much. The app has been funny all day.
four lots of love!! I'll take that!! 🤣💕
I find talking to my dead family members therapeutic and comforting at times. They died, but they still exist to some extent within me, my sister and my father.
yes exactly, I do find it very comforting. I'm sorry for your loss xxx
Oh gosh! My dad died mid January this year. At first I was sad, but also had a sense of relief that he had escaped the Alzheimer’s that had taken hold of him and he was no longer suffering. Now I am starting to miss him in a truer sense. The Dad he was before his gradual decline and his voice was, literally, taken away from him. I miss his measured words, his kindness and his dimpled smile…
Oh I love that description - his dimpled smile. I feel he would have had the same kind eyes that my dad did. I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. It ebbs and flows in its form, but I do love my conversations with him. I can see his eyes when I picture him and feel safe, although I do miss him desperately. I hope you find some comfort in your conversations when you are ready to have them ❤️
Beautiful Emma, what a cool dad! No wonder you miss him. I felt teary reading this, so poignant. Lovely to see your photos too. 💛
Thanks so much ❤️❤️
I love hearing these small moments 💚 Thank you for sharing xx
❤️
Im not crying. You’re crying!!
I literally am ❤️
We’re both crying!!😭
Beautiful Emma. Just this afternoon I was encouraging someone to write a letter to her father who died 5 years ago. These conversations are so important. I'm lucky enough, at age 50, to have two parents still alive, and I'm feeling compelled to capture and record their stories while they're still here to tell them. There is so much I regret not asking my grandparents when they were still alive, but I regularly talk to their photos on my bookshelf 😊
I wish I had captured conversations with my Dad while he was still alive. I thought about it so many times. I loved listening to their stories of going to tea dances, of all the mischief they used to get up to. I had always planned to bring a dictaphone (showing my age!!) round so we could chat after Sunday lunch and I could record some of it, but I just never did... if you get the chance, go for it 💕
I have done this with my mum. My dad has been a bit reticent about being recorded, sadly!
interesting. It's funny isn't it, bringing a 'recording' device in does change things. I have been wondering whether to record the conversations I'm now having with my mum. I haven't yet, I just listen which is quite special, although I would love to have the opportunity to hear a voice if there becomes a time when I can't x