post-holiday cup of tea

We arrived home in the middle of the night and read a few lovely cards. Zeke’s friend had put one through which was just so beautifully child-like and kind. Seeing him blink back tears and clutch this lovely card absolutely undid me. But home and the love of friends felt so nice.

The pictured cup of tea powered us through a morning of post-holiday clearance and bits of admin and then we went and brunched with Keith and Lauren. Hugely comforting to be in Nanny’s house with Nanny’s people. Sadness was punctuated with childlike hilarity. Particular kudos to Zeke for his off-key rendition of “hello darkness my old friend” as we sat quietly after Auntie Lauren spoke very movingly of her Mom. Earlier Eve interrupted a little sob by declaring we were depressed chicken nuggets. It’s a strange old dynamic!

We were pleased to get a text from a school Mum reminding us it was cricket in the evening. The children had a few hours blasting round the field and playing their way through big feelings. We had kind friends and a beer.

Today is 9 years since my own dear Mum died. Ant’s Mum really grew into the gap that she left behind and looked after me and our children with such kindness - I miss them both. Yet I know lots of love will grow in the gap in time.