LIFE CHEZ DEE

As you all know I don’t really plan the subjects of my blogs … I write when I feel the need to write … when there’s a lot going on in my head, in my thoughts, worries, anecdotes, experiences. I would never in a month of Sundays have guessed that I would be writing about our evening in Fleetwood, but it just so happens that as the evening unfolded I just found myself with more and more to write about. The reason we were heading to Fleetwood, as I’m not sure I’d be heading ther

I took a day to myself today. It’s not often I take a day off from all my charity work; I’m either answering emails, making phone calls, visiting businesses, groups, organisations, banking, admin or planning. But with the exception of one little errand, and a couple of answered messages, I’ve had the day to myself. Nothing planned. Nothing particularly achieved. But a day of nothingness ish. I’m worn out lately. I’m tired and I’m a bit stressed, and William has definitely pus

I wrote a little piece about Edward for @MyBump2Baby in response to Carla's appeal for real stories. Please read, RT or share and give me a follow. More of my blogs on #life #love and #loss .. and much more ... can be found on http://elizabethdee.me https://www.mybump2baby.com/child-loss-and-grief-by-elizabeth-dee/ Losing a child is different to any other loss. My child died, and on every possible imaginable level, that is wrong. The death of a child is not something anyo

It’s been rather a cultured weekend of arts and music. When I use the term cultured here I simply refer to how I interpret the use of this phrase. If someone were to be described as cultured I’d immediately assume a knowledgeable and learned person, of good taste and having a love of arts and music. I’m well aware that there is far more to the meaning of cultured but when I write I’m assuming that this is the way it will be interpreted, but as I lecture the boys in how they s

Valentine’s Day … What does that day say to me? Well it evokes so many emotions for me. The first thing which comes to mind for me, and most people I’d guess, is love. Love for a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend. The person you fancy who gets the card with the question mark. Should it be made obvious who sent it, or should it be left for them to wonder … The latter probably being a recipe for upset, and thankfully (she says with much relief) something I’ve never had to ex

It was suggested to me that I should sit in a café and write my blog. It was my minister who suggested it. Running the charity is sometimes quite solitary, and so too is the life of a writer. It was his opinion that not only would it offer some company for me; a feeling that I was amongst others, rather than sitting alone at home. To be honest it never occurred to me that I had quite a solitary existence, quite the contrary in fact. I suppose there are so many occasions when

Last night I was privileged to be invited to a private event at the newly opened restaurant Thyme in Poulton. I don’t often go to Poulton I do confess, but I did know where the Booths store was, and I knew that this restaurant had opened next door. We parked up and walked to find it in the Teanlowe Centre and what a sight it was as we turned the corner. A beautiful stylish frontage with classy signage … wonderful glass windows formed the whole of the front of the restaurant,

I think if I had to sum up all the things which have helped, and still help me through difficult days, I’d have to say time … and I don’t really mean that in the sense of quantity; or in the sense of measurable or quantifiable; I don’t mean a timescale of one date to another … when I say time I refer to this in terms of time doing what I needed to do, and being who I needed to be … time out; time to think; time to process; time to be; time taken willingly; and time which was

So yesterday afternoon I do my domestic goddess bit and decide that I’ll bake some banana muffins … I’ve got three bananas which are way past it for my taste … I really don’t like it when they’ve started to go black. My trusted Nigella recipe book at hand… the best banana muffins ever in my opinion … I make these muffins so often, they’re so, so delicious, loved by all so they never hang around very long. I turned the oven on, made the muffins, and just as I was about to pop

I actually wrote this blog in March 2019 and published it on the charity website. I had a read of this today, I don't generally re-read any of my blogs, but the upshot was that I thought I'd publish my musings here on my personal page too. Other than this introductory paragraph, the blog is as is. So many people have said to me they think it would be good for me to write a blog, and even write a book. I’ve pushed that notion to the side so many times, but then I got thinkin

I so very often go on about how much I love words, language, words articulated so beautifully, inspirationally, emotionally. I love written words, spoken words, song words, narratives, monologues. Words which resonate with me completely, really stay with me. Words which offer comfort, love or even hurt. Words which offer an insight into someone’s soul. I love sayings, expressions and words of wisdom as well as rhyme and song. Words are incredibly powerful, they stay with you

I love songs. Always have. I love all manner of songs, some modern, many old, pop, jazz, folk, from musicals, even from children’s songs and nursery rhymes. I love the words. The words, and the tunes, stick with me. I pick the words up really easily too. Justin is good at remembering a tune, but I remember both the tune and the words, I really listen to the words, that's what grabs me and decides my liking or non liking. So often, when I’m in conversation, the words from a

Another year over, a new one about to begin; a time for reflection …of the year, of the memories of years gone by, of one’s self. I sit and think about all that this year has brought, all I’ve achieved … and not achieved. The old friends I still have alongside me; friends who have drifted; new friends who have come into my life. It feels to me as though this has been a significant year … not necessarily in significant event worthy terms; but in a sense of change. A change in

I went to see the film “Cats” this evening. It was my Christmas present from William. He knew I wanted to see it and so without prompt, treated me to this … he did however, ask Justin to go with me as he couldn’t bear to come with me to watch it! Well I absolutely loved it … I knew I would. The critics slated it … what do they know? All I say is that those who love musicals, who love theatre, who have seen the theatre production of Cats will love it … I am that person. I love

The most wonderful time of the year! … or is it? I can’t imagine it’s that wonderful for the person who is homeless, or the person without food, or money to pay for rent, or heating, or those who are unable to afford buying presents for their family. It won’t be a wonderful time for those ill in hospital, or those ill at home. Those who work will probably have had more wonderful times, as too will those who are alone or who have lost loved ones. December will never be the sam

5th December is a date etched well and truly in my psyche. Three years ago was probably the most horrific and traumatic day I have ever, ever had, or ever will have. The day when my boy, my beautiful, funny, cheeky, bundle of energy, became very ill; seriously ill; and didn’t get better. 5th December 2016 was the day that Edward died. Today I woke up to the most beautiful red sky, obviously Edward hard at work making his presence felt by setting the sky alight on this third a

I wanted to write about trees. I could go on and on about trees and how special they are, but today I wanted to write about some really special trees … Trees #forEdward. Trees for Edward was born in 2018. It all started at the Post Office in St Annes, me chatting to Jan, Jan wanting to help the charity in so many ways. Jan knows many, many people, as you can well imagine, and before long she’s told all those many people about The Edward Dee Fund. One of the shop owners she to

There are people you meet who you just connect with, completely gel with. The sort that when you’re with them, there is an ease about the time you spend with them. You can be yourself; you can say things that don’t really offend, not that you generally say things which offend, but because they’re on the same page as you, they don’t get offended … by anything. There’s an ease to the conversation … being able to talk openly, have someone listen, really listen, comment, give the

This weekend I have been sad. Really sad; overwhelmingly sad; so sad I couldn’t even hide the sadness behind a smile, and pretend I was ok. This weekend I have needed to be what I needed to be. I needed to be sad. Every time I’m like this I cannot see beyond it. I can’t rationally analyse why I’m feeling the way I do. I can see everything that’s wrong … in EVERYTHING. My head telling me that I need to stop, I need to take time out … which I do; I sit, and I breathe, and I try