Gung hay fat choy (Cantonese): How Cantonese speakers wish you a happy new year, the literal translation: wishing you great happiness and prosperity “James, it’s the year of the Ox!” He didn’t reply, but in his defence, what are you …
Perfect
Content (adjective): In a state of peaceful happiness I’m slowly figuring out why this hurts so much. There are the obvious things to be sad about: losing another child, not being a mum, the fear and uncertainty of what’s to …
My Old Self
Future (noun): Time regarded as still to come She sits in a tea shop, tucked away in a corner. Baklava on a plate, book in her lap. I walk in, face masked, heart shielded. She glances up, smiles. I look …
Choose Happy
Hats off to you (phrase): Used to express congratulations to someone or something You can choose your friends You can choose what you eat You can “choose kind” (a quote/idea from one of my fave books, Wonder. There’s a character …
Agony
Torture (verb): The action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as a punishment In my processing grief journal, I wrote that losing a child is torture. What I didn’t notice is how so much of it is self-inflicted. …
Showered in Love
Save the date:Announcement of an upcoming event, asking the recipient to hold or reserve the mentioned date (Saturday 13th June from 11-2pm) on their calendar Today – right now – should have been my baby shower. With the timing of …
My Beautiful Bunch of Cells
First Trimester (medicine): The first trimester begins on the first day of your last period and lasts until the end of week 12 of pregnancy. This is an email I sent to one of my close friends, two weeks after …