Mince pie mania

This week we are discussing something a little different.

A couple of years ago we lost someone very special to us – a family member who took her own life. The advent of a simple and sudden phone call had a huge impact on our family, one which we are still dealing with today.

Losing someone close to you in that way is a shock to the system, you go through a lot of different thought processes after the shock wears off and in the end, you are left with a lot of questions which will likely never be answered. There are a whole host of things that we were never able to say to her and we wish that we had the opportunity to. Before and after the funeral was spent in a confusing haze of emotions that it took a significant proportion of time to work through.

The statistics would suggest that there are lots of people out there that deal with similar issues which is a very sad realisation, for every person that decided to take their own life there are numerous family members and friends left to deal with the loss. Mental health was the cause in our situation and many families across the world are dealing with the same issues. Regardless of the cause, we all need support during these kinds of times, sometimes just a simple hug or a kind word can go a very long way.

Very sadly, one of the true facts about life is that it has to end – it’s never a pleasant thing to talk about nor to experience. We think of our lost family all throughout the year but especially at times of gathering and celebration such as Christmas.

Personally, we found that talking things out and cheering each other up with jokes and humour helped the process. This is one of the reasons that we are backing Sue Ryder as a charity spotlight this year. This amazing charity helps people deal with bereavement and offers palliative/hospice care – in effect, they help people through some of the most trying times of their lives and helps them to not only see the unwell person has top-notch end of life care but that the family are looked after once the person has passed on.

One of the fantastic things that Sue Ryder provides is the opportunity for people to connect in a likeminded community and discuss not only their loss but celebrate the lives of the people that they love.

On the Thursday 20th December, BNI Loddon Twyford will be supporting Sue Ryder (Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, Wokingham Day Hospice and the Berkshire Palliative Care Hub in Newbury) with a mince pie eating competition called Mince Pie Mania – our own Kittie will be one of the participants and she is looking forward to getting into the Christmas spirit. Any money raised from the event will go towards supporting the provision of palliative and neurological care and also their support services. If you’d like to send a donation in for the event then use this JustGiving link.

Feel free to pop down to the event and show your support if you are in Berkshire or surrounding areas!