Hi Sandra, I have to be honest that I read your story while sitting in the waiting room of my oncologist and I so wanted to reply but hesitated. Thinking about my reason for hesitation, I thought do you need someone like me in my uncertain predicament to be writing to you, but as the day wore on with you on my mind, i thought how selfish of me to be so preoccupied with myself when I could feel such raw, honest emotions from you and sensing fear, loss, grief, sadness, anger, frustration, but mostly I felt an enormous amount of love pouring out of you for Doug, your soul mate, best friend, lover, husband, and that what sadly happened was not even entertained in your plans for life together. I have over the last month been dealing with the dreaded centre link and trying to cope with the endless forms, questions, proof of this, proof of that, ending up in tears and telling staff late one Friday afternoon that I was not going to leave the building until I received help from staff to complete the never ending list of questions and how the entire experience was affecting my mental state of mind and health. But I soldiered on as I had worked my whole life and paid tax and never asked for any support from the government. So I understand your situation completely when it comes to centre link but we must soldier on! You really do have an amazing story to tell, very uplifting when you talk about Doug and your life together, I can really sense the bond you two have but on the other hand I sense a huge loss which is understandable and if writing is your saviour, why not? Death, grief, loss, pain, sadness are all necessary evils for us to push ourselves forward and to continue living our life, not forgetting that special person but to treasure all the wonderful times and memories even if it means a few extra photos around the house, or keeping an item of clothing with that special smell of the person, keeping some of their special trinkets, all of this is perfectly natural. I believe that you are a strong woman but don't forget to be kind to yourself every now and then and you are allowed to cry and feel sad, and if I can ever help you in any way, please please please don't ever hesitate to contact me..... any time. Keep writing, and press the publish button ❤😄👍
Getting your raw emotional journey through grief down into words is extremely difficult, I am so proud of you for hitting that button because it reads really well. xxx
Thank you for pressing send. Thank you for sharing your beautiful writing with us. Thank you for bringing us on this next different phase of your life Lots of love xoxo
I’m glad you hit send, and even more so that you were encouraged to do so, these young ladies sure are amazing support! Cannot imagine all the daily life issues you are facing, as life goes on for everyone else, you are left to face these tasks while dealing with grief, loss and often from others that just don’t “get it”. If you ever need to just put the paperwork away, have a cuppa/chat, or someone to deal with the world of Centrelink (I’m a master at that one), I’m just a message away. Sometimes it just helps to write that stuff down, get it out of your head and somehow makes some sense of it all. Doug would be very proud of you, as he should be x
Reading your thoughts glad you pressed send can’t imagine how different and difficult your life is but so glad you find some comfort in writing down your thoughts and I hope memories bring a smile to your face through the tears you shed think of you and Doug often and hope you doing ok xo
About to turn off the light and your newsletter arrived...evening not afternoon but it arrived! Bravo. And so sad but so true and it’s love and fear and grief wrapped in words. Thank you Sandra and Doug,for the words. Keep them coming lady...amongst the tears because they need to be written and read. Sending love....Denyse
Sending you so much love Sandra xx
Hi Sandra, I have to be honest that I read your story while sitting in the waiting room of my oncologist and I so wanted to reply but hesitated. Thinking about my reason for hesitation, I thought do you need someone like me in my uncertain predicament to be writing to you, but as the day wore on with you on my mind, i thought how selfish of me to be so preoccupied with myself when I could feel such raw, honest emotions from you and sensing fear, loss, grief, sadness, anger, frustration, but mostly I felt an enormous amount of love pouring out of you for Doug, your soul mate, best friend, lover, husband, and that what sadly happened was not even entertained in your plans for life together. I have over the last month been dealing with the dreaded centre link and trying to cope with the endless forms, questions, proof of this, proof of that, ending up in tears and telling staff late one Friday afternoon that I was not going to leave the building until I received help from staff to complete the never ending list of questions and how the entire experience was affecting my mental state of mind and health. But I soldiered on as I had worked my whole life and paid tax and never asked for any support from the government. So I understand your situation completely when it comes to centre link but we must soldier on! You really do have an amazing story to tell, very uplifting when you talk about Doug and your life together, I can really sense the bond you two have but on the other hand I sense a huge loss which is understandable and if writing is your saviour, why not? Death, grief, loss, pain, sadness are all necessary evils for us to push ourselves forward and to continue living our life, not forgetting that special person but to treasure all the wonderful times and memories even if it means a few extra photos around the house, or keeping an item of clothing with that special smell of the person, keeping some of their special trinkets, all of this is perfectly natural. I believe that you are a strong woman but don't forget to be kind to yourself every now and then and you are allowed to cry and feel sad, and if I can ever help you in any way, please please please don't ever hesitate to contact me..... any time. Keep writing, and press the publish button ❤😄👍
Getting your raw emotional journey through grief down into words is extremely difficult, I am so proud of you for hitting that button because it reads really well. xxx
Thank you for pressing send. Thank you for sharing your beautiful writing with us. Thank you for bringing us on this next different phase of your life Lots of love xoxo
I’m glad you hit send, and even more so that you were encouraged to do so, these young ladies sure are amazing support! Cannot imagine all the daily life issues you are facing, as life goes on for everyone else, you are left to face these tasks while dealing with grief, loss and often from others that just don’t “get it”. If you ever need to just put the paperwork away, have a cuppa/chat, or someone to deal with the world of Centrelink (I’m a master at that one), I’m just a message away. Sometimes it just helps to write that stuff down, get it out of your head and somehow makes some sense of it all. Doug would be very proud of you, as he should be x
Reading your thoughts glad you pressed send can’t imagine how different and difficult your life is but so glad you find some comfort in writing down your thoughts and I hope memories bring a smile to your face through the tears you shed think of you and Doug often and hope you doing ok xo
About to turn off the light and your newsletter arrived...evening not afternoon but it arrived! Bravo. And so sad but so true and it’s love and fear and grief wrapped in words. Thank you Sandra and Doug,for the words. Keep them coming lady...amongst the tears because they need to be written and read. Sending love....Denyse