I've been away from The Forum for a while, and on returning, the very first thing I noticed was Dougie's absence from his opening of the daily current conditions page. I always had a mental picture of him sitting and waiting for the clock to strike midnight. He was rarely absent. I never knew him, apart from seeing his photo and daily updates, but felt so sad reading through his posts over his final days when I'm sure many in his situation will simply have given up, rather than summoning up his final strength in keeping his friends updated. RIP Dougie.

---

So sorry to hear about POD's wife, Caz. Another person lost to the scourge that is cancer.

In the past 6 weeks, there have been three different people I have known, either personally or through internet contact, whom have all passed away. Dougie from this forum, a girl in her early 30's who was waiting for either a kidney or liver transplant (not sure which tbh) and a lady in her mid-70s who succumbed to MS having bravely fought the illness for over 40 years. Not the best of times recently for sure.

Will be thinking of them and their families when Xmas comes.

---

Yes indeed David. The world can be a very sad place at times but there’s always someone worse off and bearing that in mind can help us through our own sadness.  

Christmas is especially difficult and will be for POD and all those who have lost someone close this year.

Last year was the first Christmas without my son at the table for dinner and I was absolutely dreading it.  I knew I had to do something different to get through it.  My hubby suggested we go away for the festive season but my mum always came to us as well and I knew it was likely to be her last Christmas as she had cancer.  So we decided to surround ourselves and my mum with love and we invited all the family.  We had 16 for dinner and do you know, it really was the best Christmas ever!  

We all enjoyed it so much that by Boxing Day we’d all decided to do the same again this year and I’m looking forward to it.  

I would advise anyone who’s recently bereaved to do exactly that!  Surround yourself with those who love and understand you.  Especially at Christmas.  Either invite them to you, or accept their invitations. Do something different.  Something that doesn’t make your loss so obvious. 

Last Christmas was my mum’s last. We lost her

in June so there will only be 15 of us this Christmas. But the house will still be full of love and we’ll be making the most of the family we still have.

---

Incidentally, today (Monday) was his birthday, hope current conditions up there are as nice as it has been here at our home county of Kent today.

---

.

Some stratospheric warming would probably suit.

 

---