Ready for the conversation

"Mummy I am sad you have no hair", she said.

I was at first taken aback, but she was ready for the conversation. I told her not to be sad, as I wasn't. I went on to tell her, that there was a time, when I was sad that I had no hair, but that that time had passed.

I told her that I was no longer sad, as I still found myself pretty. 

She agreed as did my husband, who happened to be in ear shot. That was nice.

It's clear that children have a need to talk about these things. They need to understand what is going on and why.  I often forget about their needs, especially as the condition of alopecia is all about me. Yet clearly it isn't. The people around me also need to understand. Understand how I feel and why and how it happens. Especially if they are children.

I may need to talk to them more. About this and other things. 

Mmmmm might need to give this some thought.

Replies to your comments!

Dear fabulous readers,

I love your comments, I look forward to each and every one of them. They spur me on to new subjects and they offer me insights into how my stories impact others. I love love love receiving comments and each time I see "comment awaiting moderation", I get really excited. It's like being a child again and receiving a wrapped gift, with fancy bows and ribbons. I can't wait to rip off the paper and see what's inside. I am never disappointed. The comments are fabulous and give me a huge sense of purpose.

I may not reply to the comments all the time, but know that I care about each one.

That said I owe you all a few answers. So what was it they were all doing on my recent blog.  Well some of you got it right. Reading the trilogy shades of grey of course! The world went mad for it.
Then there is the comment on the energy givers and takers from reader Baked Bean! Good point. Another reader talked about keeping their house clean in case of midnight drama, that made me chuckle! I most definitely don't share that one!!

I love the fact the one of you confessed to ugly underwear and its importance in our lives. Hilarious. The fact that there could possibly be average Olympians really made me stop and think. Surely not possible.  Not forgetting the popular Tupperware blog, this was clearly something many of you identified with. As a result, I have received numerous emails with links to lemons and how to organize my cupboards and I have received emails of encouragement for my role as a mother! Thank you.

Know that I look forward to writing, but look even more forward to finding comments! Keep them coming and if you are sitting on the fence and have not yet made the plunge to post your thoughts, go on, give it a try.

Yours beautifully, BBB xx

Thank you for giving me her

I love my sister. She is just simply an amazing human being.

Growing up, it was not always easy. She was, and still is, four years older than me, as a result we did not have a lot in common. She was the grown up one who was allowed to do everything and I was the annoying one who quite simply just annoyed her.

In school, she pretended I didnt exist and I quite predictably, enjoyed shouting at a very high volume, all across the playground, "Whhoooo sister, here I am".  Hilarious! With hindsight, maybe not.

That said, now many years later, we couldn't be closer. We spend so much time together, despite the distance.  We hang out together, we drink tea together, we read books in the same room, we go for ice cream and we just exist together easily.

In addition to being the best sister, she excels in her other family duties. She buys my husband the coolest gifts and even sends my in-laws Christmas cards. The best bit is, and the reason she stands out amongst all others, is the way she is an Aunty. She adores my children and cares for them as much as any parent. She reads to them, cuddles them, brings them to school, buys them sparkly clothes, paints their nails, swims with them, plays games with them and does jigsaws with them. When she is not there, she writes them little letters and sends them cupcake postcards. She never forgets a birthday and each gift is bought with much thought and insight. In short, she is the world's best Aunty and my kids absolutley adore her.

I am very thankful for my parents for giving me a sibling. I can imagine our fights and constant bickering were tiring most of time. I am sure we drove our parents crazy. However forty odd years later, I want to thank them for giving me her, and for hanging in there, when the going got rough.

I hope our parents find joy in our relationship, I know I would be proud if my girls enjoyed each other, the way we do. Unlikely as that may seem now, I am given hope, knowing what our growing pains and antagonist behaviours were like? Yes I am sure they will learn to appreciate each other, even if I have to wait another fifteen years.

So this post is tribute to the worlds greatest Aunty, we love you and miss you! Come visit soon, wherever we are!