Tommy’s (charity): The largest charity in the UK carrying out research into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth After tagging the baby loss charity, Tommy’s, on Instagram about this blog (our friend’s fundraising run in memory of Summer), …
Stories for my Godchildren
Imagine (verb): Form a mental image or concept of I read somewhere that C. S. Lewis wrote his Narnia books for his goddaughter and I absolutely adored that idea. I’ve stored it in my head under the heading “godparent goals” …
The Pregnancy Thief
Poetaster (noun): A person who writes inferior poetry Ignorance was the first to flee Soon all else was stripped from me Doctor says: It’s just bad luck Ah, so you don’t give a f*ck? No big deal It happens a …
The Year of the Ox
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 …
Someday Soon
Dream (verb): Indulge in daydreams or fantasies about something greatly desired We used to have these huge end-of-year parties at university, I’m talking HUGE. Hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on one-off all-night balls. It was the posh university equivalent …
Q&A
Bruth (Mumoirs abbreviation): Brutal truth I’ve been telling my bruth about our three losses – BoC, My Baby and Summer – via these Mumoirs blogs since June, so I wanted readers to hear some other voices, to grasp just how …
Little Stars
Star (verb): Of a film, play or other show: to have someone as a principal performer I’ve never been one of those people who’s said “being a mum is all I’ve ever wanted”. I’ve never even been one to describe myself as …
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 …
The Hairdresser
Failure (noun): The neglect or omission of expected or required action I’ve blogged previously about what I wanted to say, the next time a stranger asked me whether I had any children. I wrote a whole blog about what I …