There’s been a bit of a to-do in New Zealand this week.
A shortage of HRT. Scary stuff…
Talking about taking hormone replacement, Brian shares why he takes Testosterone, and the couple discuss their battle to stay true, keep it real and refrain from hitting the delete button whenever they make a mistake.
Enjoy!
Stay.
I couldn’t let this discovery go without sharing.
Those in my newsletter will know I have been writing letters in a journal. Things that have inspired, helped, and soothed me during hard times.
One of those letters (that are being dripped out over the next few weeks) talks about the saying “Kia Kaha”. In the letter, I liken the meaning of these words to an anchor.
This morning, as I was doing my regular walk alongside the beach, I met a Kiwi guy who Brian and I chat with whenever we go to the cafe.
Since Mum passed, we’ve not been to the cafe. I haven’t felt up to it. Talking to people. Making an effort. Honestly, I haven’t felt ready to talk to anyone but Brian. Not in real life.
‘We’ve missed you at the cafe,’ said Mark the Kiwi. ‘How have you been?’
I was about to give the automatic response of ‘Fine!’ But then thought better of it.
‘Not great. I miss her like crazy.’
There was a moment of silence.
After Mark had shuffled his feet on the sand for a second, he said.
‘Can I suggest a song that helped me during difficult times? It’s by a New Zealand band. I think the lyrics will help you.’
I said goodbye and walked away. I opened Spotify and searched.
I hesitated to listen at first. I thought it might be one of those ‘wah-wah’ songs. The ones that have you sobbing and snorting for hours.
But it was far from it.
This week’s podcast is for you. For you, I share this song. The song that Kiwi Mark shared with me. I share this song as a reminder.
Let us not forget who we are.
Let us not forget our strength.
And let us never forget that we always have our stay. Always. Sometimes, we just need reminding that it’s there.
I hope this song wraps you in as much love as it did me.
My heart beats with yours,
Liz x
With special love, respect and thanks to The Mutton Birds
When we booked our month-long trip to Thailand back in May, it seemed like a grand idea. Get away. Change of scenery. Leave the kids.
And now, when it’s almost time to leave, we’re having second thoughts.
Or Liz is.
In this week’s episode, Liz and Brian chat about the realities of going overseas when one of you doesn’t quite feel up to it. Fear, dread, excitement. Fear again. We’re feeling the lot.
We also discuss the effect of probably the best birthday present we have ever given our daughter and Liz’s simple fix to one of her nagging microstresses.
Enjoy!
Be the help you needed.
That’s always been my motto. My blueprint. My words-in-guiding-armour that help me forward whenever I feel stuck. Especiaslly in these terrifying times of deep grief when I hesitate to share my sadness and struggles for fear of losing subscribers or upsetting those here for the laughs.
But.
What I have today has to be shared.
It has to be.
Last week I experienced panic and hope in a way that I never expected. Or knew how to cope with. But I did cope…and by talking about these things I felt empowered and obliged to share.
I wish I’d known about the physiological side of grief. I wish someone had warned me what it does to your brain. Your mood, your thoughts.
I hope by sharing my experiences, I can be the help for you.
Thank you for listening and watching. We love you.
Arohanui
Liz and Brian xx
It’s the first time in eight weeks I’ve left the house.
Apart from getting groceries, walking in nature, and spending an hour or two working at our local cafe, my safe place to grieve has been at home.
Alone.
In this episode, we wanted to share our first overnight trip away since losing Mum. We went to see our son, Sonny, in Hamilton, New Zealand. In the real world.
Filled with grief but determined to do something normal, this is what the experience looked like.
Thank you for listening and watching. We love you.
Arohanui
Liz and Brian xx
Lately, when I drop into bed at night, I find myself asking how on earth I got through the last twelve hours.
Quite often, I don’t remember what I did or half of what I said.
Yet, if you passed me in the street, you’d think I was a normal, everyday person going about her day, coping. Doing grown-up stuff. Making videos. Living without a mum.
This episode was inspired by you.
It is made in recognition of all those who have reached out to me, people who have shown their love and support and shared their grief journey stories.
People who, from the outside, look happy and sorted and appear to have it all together.
But, like me, they don’t. Not always. And that’s okay.
As a good friend said to me, “Grief is a journey, not a destination”.
Brian and I are here today, so neither of us has to make that journey alone.
Always remember, our hearts beat with yours.
Arohanui
Liz and Brian xx
I’m Liz, and this is my family.
I do Travel. I do Wine. I do being a mum to big kids. Sometimes I do all three at the same time.
I don’t do hormones. Or looking perfect for Instagram. Or dieting.
Read more about who I am and why we should be friends on our about us page.