was lucky enough to grow up in a small village with a big family, my mum being the youngest of 5Children;who all of which had 2 children each as a minimum and most of us have had kids now too there’s almost 30 of us kicking loosely around one small villiage, my mums eldest brother my uncle Jim is generosity defined he’s never happier than when he’s got a house full of people. I’ve always said the weekends at their house are the aspiration I want; his adult kids and grand kids descend and often other people just nip in, passing through sayinghello there’s always a bottle of wine open and beer in the fridge, it’s a hub for the family and they just pass through and chat I hope our house becomes the same for my family in the future.

Uncle Jim has been ill for a couple of years with COPD and a lot of respiratory issues. He’s been pretty much always on oxygen and has times when he feels like he can’t breathe which cause panic and stress and I imagine just aggravates the other issues

In 2022 he started being semi regularly admitted to hospital when he felt seriouslyunwell with his breathing this continued into 2023.

He was admitted into my hospital 3in my week 7, but was adamant he was leaving his ward to find and see me, he’s a true patriarchal family man and wanted to check in and see how I was doing He wasn’t allowed a visit but his wife my auntie Christine did visit and said I was on his mind and could I visit him so he could put it at res; 2 days later me, mum and dad went up to see him. It was the day after I’d first walked (link:one small step) but we took the wheelchair to his ward.

He was thrilled to see me. He really was, said I looked good and he thought I’d have more facial droop, He was concerned about my mental and cognitive function and if I was struggling with anything communication wise he offered to come and sit in my room, he said this as he was sat with oxygen on, looking very tired. I declined the offer thinking I probably looked a little healthier than he did

But 2 family menbers both in the same hospital at the same time did feel a bit cruel.

We agreed to reconvene in the pub at a later date

This post in memory of Uncle Jim, Rip 28/7/2033, sorry we never got that pint!