I’ve gone for trying for my word of the week this week – in both senses of the word. It’s been quite an intense week emotionally with trying moments and grief-storms and I’ve been trying to be kind to myself while struggling with various emotions.
It’s perhaps not too surprising that the grief-storms have been intense this week. I’ve had a lot of distraction with the Easter holidays being so busy and grief hasn’t always had the space it needed so was bound to come out once the children were back at school.
Thomas has been going through a phase recently of repeating the word “hair” incessantly, which is often accompanied by trying to pull or stroke my hair. I’ve been finding this particular phase very trying especially when my emotional resilience and patience levels are quite low. I’m trying to work out how best to help him work through this phase and we’ve been trying some new strategies which seem to be helping a little with this.
It’s been a trying week for him emotionally too as the sound on his musical seahorse that he has at bedtime has become buzzy which upsets him. I’m not sure if we can fix it without breaking it completely and we’ve been trying to find a replacement which works for him. The newer model has slightly different music and has been rejected. We’re waiting for a second-hand one from eBay to arrive which hopefully will have the same music as his old one.
On a more positive note, I was very proud of Thomas trying out Go Ape for the first time. He got quite scared on the practice course and needed a lot of help and encouragement to cross some of the obstacles, but after he reached the end of the lower level course, he was thoroughly enjoying himself and happy to try the higher level. It was my first time trying Go Ape too – I’m not sure I enjoyed it quite as much as Thomas did but it was lovely to see him having fun. Sophie loved it too. She’s done it before so was quite confident going around the course.
What I’ve been grateful for this week:
- Day 108 – I am grateful for my friend being on godmother duty so I could play Mary, mother of Jesus, in the Passion play at the end of the Good Friday walk of witness.
- Day 109 – I am grateful for a fun afternoon at Go Ape. Super proud of my boy for going up on the higher course given how scared he was at first and by the end he was thoroughly enjoying himself and wanting to do it again!
- Day 110 – I am grateful for an Easter egg hunt in the garden after church.
- Day 111 – I am grateful for no changes to either child’s shoe size when being measured today and being able to leave the shoe shop without buying any shoes.
- Day 112 – I am grateful for bluebells appearing in the garden.
- Day 113 – I am grateful for a cup of tea and a slice of homemade tea loaf.
- Day 114 – I am grateful for a walk around Black Park.
Other things that have made me smile this week:
- Sophie helping out with the church coffee morning.
- Chocolate for breakfast on Easter Sunday.
- Sophie and her dad doing a jigsaw together.
Joining in with Raisie Bay for Word of the Week.
I’m sorry to hear you and Thomas have had a trying week, I hope the replacement seahorse is a perfect replacement when it arrives.
Well done to Thomas for being so brave!
It sounds like you all had a nice Easter. Chocolate for breakfast is a must on Easter Sunday.
Have a lovely weekend.
What a trying week. I’m sure you’re ready for the new week. Hopefully the seahorse is a match and Thomas will find it a good replacement, without the buzzing. I’m glad you enjoyed Go Ape. We’ve been once but I missed out as I was on dog holding duty. Makes me want to go again. We have bluebells in the garden for the first time this year and I’m enjoying them being out. Sophie and Thomas look like they enjoyed their Easter egg hunt and that puzzle looks tricky. We love puzzles and often have one on the go during the holidays. Fingers crossed that your next week is plain sailing.
Oh gosh! The term grief storm describes it perfectly. I have been mid one too – it was my birthday, my daughters birthday and easter – our firsts without Cameron. It has been hard! I am sorry you are also feeling it 🙁
I’m so sorry that you’ve also had grief-storms lately. Those firsts are so hard. Sending much love your way x
Sending love and hugs. It sounds like a rough week for you and Thomas. I hope you can replace the seahorse.
It sounds like Go-Ape was fun after the practice course.
Lovely photos!
Sounds like it’s been a challenging week on several accounts. Hopefully things are more balanced going forward. GoApe is so good. I’ve never done it, but N really enjoys it, just a shame there’s not really any that close to us.
Sorry to hear that it has been a trying week and hope that Thomas’ Seahorse is the right one. Well done to him (and you) on Go Ape – I enjoy it apart from the rope swing – always throws me
Louise you are doing fabulously. You ride those storms so well, and Jessica is always here in our hearts and thoughts. Fingers crossed that Thomas’ new Seahorse makes the right sound. I totally understand.
Thank you so much Anne. Those storms have been so intense lately. It always means a lot to know that Jessica is still in the thoughts of others too. The second-hand seahorse turned out to be acceptable so that was a relief!
I completely understand about the seahorse, any change to a favourite thing is not well received in our house either and the hunt for a suitable replacement can be trying. I also get the repetition of words/phrases/actions can grate a little. It will pass.
You do an amazing job.
Also bravo for going on Go Ape! I wouldn’t have the nerve!
I hope you’ve managed to find a suitable replacement toy for Thomas. Nothing wrong with chocolate for breakfast ay day of the week lol. Well done on you both for trying Go Ape. I will say I found the higher stages much easier than the lower practise areas.
What a challenging week! A grief storm describes perfectly, when youotionally shattered. Sorry about Thomas’ bedtime seahorse, hope you find the right replacement. I know exactly what you mean about it that it has to be the same. Our older son has a very old hat which looks all battered now, and I would have thrown it years ago, but he refuses to wear anything else, and he’s got a whole collection of them. Also hope the hair-touching thing will be a short phase.
The Go Ape obstacle course would scare me personally, I’d probably only go on the very low one, as I am terrified of heights. Sending big hugs!
What a challenging week! A grief storm describes perfectly, when youotionally shattered. Sorry about Thomas’ bedtime seahorse, hope you find the right replacement. I know exactly what you mean about it that it has to be the same. Our older son has a very old hat which looks all battered now, and I would have thrown it years ago, but he refuses to wear anything else, and he’s got a whole collection of them. Also hope the hair-touching thing will be a short phase.
The Go Ape obstacle course would scare me personally, I’d probably only go on the very low one, as I am terrified of heights. Sending big hugs!xxx