Betwixt and between

Caleb, Holly, Rosie, Sophie and Joel

It is a time of anniversaries,

not marriages, but deaths.

Holly's mother died eleven ago yesterday

and Gill died three years ago tomorrow.

Rosie and her mother are not talking to each other.

I try to tell them it is a bad idea, but they don't listen.

Rosie feels as if she doesn't have a home any more.

I am working with "Dying Matters" to sort out the discussion for my book launch next month.

I just watched their film about discussing death before it happens

Very moving

http://www.dyingmatters.org/page/dying-know-screened-packed-house-cannes

In the film the dying woman is going home to her dead husband.

Gill comes home to see me in my dreams sometimes.

But where do you go home to when you are like Henry the eighth? (as Holly used to call me.)

It was a terrible day yesterday.

Sophie the dog could hardly get up, and had to be rushed to the emergency vet.

Gabrielle was in so much pain with her arm that she needed to go to hospital too, later on.

I stayed very calm and helped us all through the distress.

I always was good in a crisis. It was very weird, Gabrielle having the same intense pain in her left arm that

Gill had when she went into hospital.

Luckily, Gabrielle is already much better, and Sophie is much more her usual self.

I spent time with both my daughters last week; helped Holly move her belongings to London, where she will

start a new job in September.

Helped Rosie make a film at college.

I am utterly delighted with things going so well for my girls.

I am bereft of the boys still. I haven't spoken to Caleb since his birthday.

I have only been in touch with Joel via Facebook.

I have put the children all together in a picture to share with you all here. It pleases me.

Maybe the children will visit.

Who knows?