15/11/2023
Hello Community, a few people have commented that I have been absent/quiet on social media, which I have. The reason is I have been in bereavement since losing my mother a couple of months ago. We didn't always have the easiest relationship, it was a complicated relationship. And, I have read that the grief is quite difficult and complex, when the relationship has been challenging. My mother, overall, had a very hard life; starting with being born in the middle of WWII, as German bombs were dropping on London, and other major cities. She went on to live in poverty for many years, as an adult. And, she often struggled with depression. However, she had a heart of gold, and was very accepting of people. She always encouraged me to go out and play with the children in the street, mainly children of West Indian parents. Children she let me go home with, and then have lasting friendships with.. I will always be grateful that she installed in me an acceptance of everyone, no matter the color of their skin, or their gender preference. She loved her sister, auntie Shirley and Shirley's husband, my Uncle Don, who always made her giggle in fits of laughter. She loved all her brothers and their wives, and all of their children, who are my cousins. One of my fondest memories of us was going to bingo with Auntie Shirley, in Harlow. And, even though my aunt was in the last stages of terminal cancer she was as feisty as ever, and playing my bingo cards, as well as her own, " Because I was too F&&K ' slow!!!" My mum and aunt were a team and loved each other dearly. I don't think my mum ever truly recovered from losing her sister. So, if I have been quiet on social media the last few weeks, there has been a good reason. And, there's been a lot to process. My sister, Mariko Pratap, my dearest cousins, and my dear friends who are my family, have all been a great support, as I go through this uncharted territory of now being an orphan. ( Mariko and I, lost our father over 25 years ago.) I loved my mum to the moon and back, and we would talk for hours when I was in my Bachelor and Masters programs, on my drives to San Francisco for my college classes. At this point I don't know what else to say except that my mum was very loved, and my cousins adored their " Auntie Irene." May she truly rest in peace.