This week has been quite an emotional rollercoaster of a week, starting with what would have been Jessica’s 13th birthday last Friday and all the emotions that came with a milestone birthday. As has now become our tradition, we celebrated Jessica’s birthday by taking her birthday cake to her forever bed and having a birthday picnic. It’s quite sobering to think that we’ve now celebrated her birthday more times in this way than in all the ways we celebrated it with her when she was alive.
On our way home from Jessica’s birthday picnic, we called in at my in-laws. My father-in-law had been unwell during the week and we were concerned by how unwell he seemed when we arrived. We ended up being there all night helping to support him and my mother-in-law while waiting for call-backs and responses from 111 which eventually resulted in him being taken to hospital by ambulance at 8.30am on Saturday morning.
On Sunday afternoon we had a call to say that he needed emergency surgery but because of his other health issues, there was a significant chance he wouldn’t survive it. We had an anxious wait while he was in theatre, but thankfully he got through it and is slowly recovering, although is still in hospital.
Sophie’s also had one of her 11+ exams this week. She had a practice test on Tuesday and the actual exam on Thursday. She’s sitting both the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire test, so has another 11+ exam in just over a week’s time. She felt the test went well, so fingers crossed she did well enough to pass it.
Thomas has been struggling to adjust to being back at school. It’s not too surprising – a new year, a new teacher, a completely changed classroom environment (it’s been repainted and at the moment just has bare white walls everywhere which doesn’t make for a particularly nice learning environment), readjusting to school routines. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for him, and we’ve had a few post-school meltdowns. I’m hoping that things will improve as he re-adjusts and hopefully gets the right support in place.
What I’ve been grateful for this week:
- Day 250 – I am grateful that we were able to go to visit Jessica after school to sing Happy Birthday and share her birthday cake.
- Day 251 – I am grateful that Sophie had fun at Pinner village fair in between helping promote our next show.
- Day 252 – I am grateful for being able to share Jessica’s birthday cake with our friends at church.
- Day 253 – I am grateful for being able to get back to Monday morning walks.
- Day 254 – I am grateful for new slippers.
- Day 255 – I am grateful that Thomas coped well with having to come along to rehearsal this evening.
- Day 256 – I am grateful for the reassurance of knowing that Sackboy was sitting watching out of the window and waiting for Thomas while he was at school.
Other things that have made me smile this week:
- Sophie wrapping herself up in Jessica’s photo blanket in a way that made it look like Jessica was hugging her.
- Thomas being nicknamed ‘Dash’ by one of the other cast members for ‘Wind in the Willows’ as he reminded them of the youngest Incredibles child. I can see why!
Sending love and hugs. It is so sad to think you have celebrated more birthdays since Jessica has been gone than with her.
Oh gosh! That is rotten new about your father in law. Best wishes to him.
Well done to Sophie with her exam, I hope the next one goes well.
Aww! Poor Thomas, I hope things improve soon. x
I hope your father-in-law is on the road to recovery now and good luck to Sophie with her 11+ exams. Sending love on what would have been a milestone birthday for Jessica x
Wishing your Father In Law a full recovery, must be a very worrying time. Good luck to Sophie with her exams. Hugs for you all for Jessica’s birthday xx
Hugs all round for everyone after this roller coaster week. Fingers crossed for lighter, better days ahead as everyone settles in to the new normal. I hope your daughter does well in her exam. We know how stressful that can be,.
Definitely a rollercoaster of a week. Big hugs for having to deal with Jessica’s birthday in this way more times than she was with you, that is tough. I really hope your Father-in-law is recovering well now. I’m sure Thomas will settle eventually, it’s really tough for them when dealing with so many changes. x
Hope the exam results go as you hope, and next week’s goes well. Hard week, and hope Thomas settles back into everything new about school soon.
Sorry to hear about your FIL, here’s to a speedy recovery. Fingers crossed for Sophie with her 11+ exams, when does she hear about the results?