MY SON

It has been more than a year since I posted on this blog and writing (or blogging) has not been high on my priorities.

Early in 2024, my son, Toby, then still 48, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and was given 12-14 months to live.

Toby, his wife Helen, and their son, Harrison, were based in Leicester, and I had moved to Salisbury, Wiltshire, a long drive away.

I was also training to foster younger asylum-seekers and staying alive by hosting foreign students from the local English Language school, so getting away was extremely awkward.

Since January this year I have been caring for two 14-Year old Afghan boys.

Toby tried chemo, but this was to slow the tumour, not kill it, and around March-April this year the chemo ended. Toby managed to hang on until his 50th birthday (July 10th) but died just nineteen days later.

The last two months have been the worst of my life, and it will be a long while before I "Come out the other side."

Toby was cremated August 21st, in Leicester

I realise this is an almost-defunct "ancient" blog (which I am going to try to resurrect as I have started writing again) but I post anyway, in the hope that a random Boot Camper will spot this entry and let my old friends and fellow writers know.

I am not supposed to post the following but my email is the old Snowball136@gmail.com and my telephone is 07429-070280

Alex