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Michelle Redfern's avatar

Oh Mel, firstly I’m so sorry. You’ve got a Mum shaped hole in your heart (both versions of your Mum) which will always be there. That must be so hard. Secondly. Thank you. One day I’ll be doing this transition when my Mum dies from this bloody horrible disease. I hope I remember to come back to your wisdom. It will no doubt help me and my sisters as the Mum shaped holes in our hearts happen.

Mel Rosenthal Coach's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind words Michelle. Just to be clear, my lovely Mum is very much alive and well. We lost some other much loved members of the family. That loss, and the generous insights from those i have interviewed, informed this writing.

Lyndell Walker's avatar

I must have missed this one when you posted it, but am glad I got to read it today,as well as another chapter. Great to see you writing again Rosie.

I liked the structure and found the text was so compelling it didn’t need any more framing in the context of the whole book.

Relief and guilt are difficult emotions to balance but the last sentence about openly missing the person, not the version created by the disease, was really special.

Siobhan's avatar

Mel, I loved this chapter and the structural change you made for this chapter. The word 'relief' has taken many forms during the chapter and I think the final message whilst implied that it's somewhat of a relief, "to be open and free in the way [she] talk[s] about her" is a lovely note to end on.

Mel Rosenthal Coach's avatar

Thank you! It’s lovely to read that the intention to weave through the many forms of relief did land on the page. 🙏🏼