In memoriam

They say a man swears to stop from crying, whilst a woman cries to avoid swearing and  like every man I know of my age we were told crying wasn't done.

Even today when you know it is allowed, years of 'Stiff Upper Lip' impact and you can't.
Well all I can say is when I bottle it in I get headaches, too much pain to carry and too much control of emotion to actually let go.

I'd like to think the nonsense taught to my generation about 'Men don't cry' is not a thing I passed on to my boys.

Not crying hurts.....

It was a simple short story that eventually allowed me to express my grief.

I know not to whom I owe my thanks though the story may be attributed to NokemG on reddit as it is the earliest record I can find here is the original I quote below.


Anyway this is the story.

On his death bed, Christopher Robin tries to explain to pooh the concept of death. Pooh and his animal friends have not, and do not age, so they have never had any experience with it.

submitted 3 years ago by NokemG

“You see," began Christopher with a long sigh. "It's like sleeping for a long, long time."

Christopher Robin was surrounded by his friends under his favorite tree. It rested on the top of a hill overlooking the entire Hundred Acre Wood. He was older now, and he knew that he didn’t have much more time left with them.

"But going to sleep means that some day you'll wake up." Pooh said with a smile.

"Precisely!" Owl exclaimed.

"And we'll be here when you do," Kanga added. "I’ll even make you breakfast."

Christopher couldn’t help but smile. "I would very much like that. But you all have to understand that it will be a very, very long time."

"Oh ho ho! We are great at waiting a long time! Rabbit here waits every year for the carrots to grow in the garden." Tigger chimed in.

"And every year you destroy them!" Rabbit snarled.

"But Christopher!" Roo interjected, jumping into Christopher’s lap. "What are we going to do when you’re gone?"

"Oh I won't be gone Roo. I’ll be right here." Christopher placed his finger over Roo’s heart. Roo giggled and scrunched up into a ball.

"We'll be just fine," muttered Eeyore. "I’m used to being alone anyways."

"None of you will be alone! You’re a family now, and while I’m gone you will all take care of each other."

"B-b-b-ut you will b-b-be back r-r-right Christopher?" Stuttered Piglett.

Christopher let out a soft sigh and looked around at all of his friends. It was going to be difficult to help them to understand. They probably never would…

"Sometimes good things come to an end. But here’s the secret everyone— come close!" They all huddled together underneath the tree to listen to Christopher’s secret.

"Memories. Are. Forever." He whispered and tapped Pooh on the nose.

"Memories?" Said Pooh. “Well I have plenty of those! Like that time we saved you from the Heffalumps!"

"Or when you helped me fix my garden!" cried Rabbit.

"Or when you organized my library for me!" Exclaimed Owl.

"Or that time you built me a new house out of those sticks you found in the woods.” Eeyore added sullenly. “It didn’t last the night...but I remember it."

"Yes, yes! All of those are memories and you will have them forever. Just like I will have my memories of all of you."

Christopher stood up and took one last look over the Hundred Acre Wood. The sun was setting in the orange autumn sky and the trees were beginning to lose their leaves. It was time he went home.

Christopher gathered all of his friends together and began walking back down the hill. They were all busy discussing the memories they had had with each other.

"Christopher?" Pooh said, looking up at Christopher as they walked hand in hand. "You aren’t coming back, are you?"

Christopher looked down at the ground and took a moment before he responded. "No Pooh. I won't be coming back this time."

They walked in silence, listening to the sound of the crunching leaves underneath their feet.

Pooh suddenly stopped and looked intently into the ground. "I believe I am going to miss you Christopher," he said with a soft, broken voice.

Christopher leaned down and took his lifelong friend into his arms.

"I will miss you too Pooh. I will miss you very, very much."

My father passed away Monday 15th January 2018
Dad I'll miss you too.

Michael Harlow Foulds 1925-2018

As I complete this article I find my Uncle (my mother's brother) has just had a massive stroke, well I didn't know Peter well as he is in New Foundland across the pond. There was a 14 day age difference between him and dad.
Peter, Michael will be waiting for you.
[Edit Uncle Peter passed away on the 18th, and yes I have memories of him too, his last visit to me was in the 70s, RIP Peter.]