Good Intentions

Such a sad news story appeared in the UK press this weekend. A married couple from Liverpool, aged 57 and 50, both died from cancer within days of each other last week. They left three children, between the ages of 13 and 21, but it was their last photograph of their parents, holding hands in a hospice days before their deaths, that was so heartbreaking. How does anyone young cope with the loss of one parent, let alone both, especially when all three kids are still coming to terms with so many of their own life issues?

There are positives however. As of this morning over £120,000 had been raised on line for the children through the generosity of complete strangers from across the world. This will go towards providing them with a place to live and support through college and university. It's truly an inspirational thing for everyone involved and the power of people should never be underestimated.

Sadly, it will never be able to replace their parents.

It is impossible to read about such a sad situation and not let it effect you. We both read about it separately and, whilst I was cautious about raising the subject, we both had the same response. We were sad and felt for the family, but wanted to talk about what was happening and how it could relate to us. I think that there are benefits to reading stories like this when you or someone close to you is suffering with the disease, even if it may not feel like it. I guess it highlights that there are always other worse off than you are, no matter what you may be going through at the time. A little balance is never a bad thing. But perhaps more importantly, it raises the subject without it being personal, and allows for discussion without a lot of the emotion that often seems to accompany such conversations when they originate with your suffering.

Much like the funeral a couple of weeks ago, it would appear that its good to talk as long as you start it the right way.

We also talked this morning about donating to the fund and I suspect there have been thousands of similar conversations all across the world today. I hope that as many as possible follow through on their good intentions.