On the night of the 21st June this year, running into the early hours of the 22nd, while I was in Canada, so many miles away, and so preoccupied with PhD work, posts about my latest fountain pen, and deep discussions with friends, my mum passed away, very peacefully, whilst sleeping on her couch back in the UK.
Patricia Dorothy Godden (Pat’ to my dad and her friends, mum to my sister, brother, and myself, nan to eight grandchildren), 1933, July 2nd to 2018, June 21st.Like so many mums to so many kids, she was simply the most amazing human being on the face of the planet. She has supported so many of us in so many different endeavors, and my family and I wouldn’t be in Canada today, if not for her and my father. But right now, and not just for this, my heart isn’t in this blogging lark, and I think I’ll be taking a break for a while. I’ll be traveling to the UK on Monday, arriving Tuesday, to stay with my father and the UK family. Lorraine and the kids will stay in Canada, life just doesn’t allow for all of us to make the journey.
Maybe I’ll come back to the blog a bit later, maybe not. But for now, thanks for reading and commenting, it’s been fun, and I’ll see you around.
Paul
Writing 
OMG, Paul. I am so sorry! I know how hard this can be. Be generous with yourself during this most difficult time.
And I hope you do come back to blogging in some form, as I enjoy your writing and your thoughts. (I have stopped reading many pen blogs for perhaps some of the same reasons you are shying away from pen blogging.)
And I guess the other thing I can say from my own experience(s) is that among the grief and pain, there is also love and, if you’re lucky, generosity of spirit. Hold on to those things, for they will save you.
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So sorry to hear that your mother had passed away.
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so sorry to hear, wishing you and the family all the best in this tough time and hope to see you back sometime. thanks for the supportive and nice comments so far
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so sorry for the loss of your mum. may you be comforted by your memories and being surrounded by your family
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Paul, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. May your mother rest in peace. Losing our parents is hard. I wish you solace and peace. I have enjoyed your writing immensely, so I will miss you, but fully understand if you decide not to come back. I hope you will though. Take care – you and all the family.
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There aren’t enough words in the world to approach expressing the depth of this loss. You and your family are in my thoughts. My sincere condolences.
Your presence will be missed around here.
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I’m currently back in the UK… it’s not easy. My sincerest thanks to everybody.
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Dear Paul,
being sorry for your loss I wish you a trip that helps with coping and finding peace. Take your time and, more importantly, take care of yourself, too!
Kind regards,
Julie
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My heart goes out to you and your family. May you find comfort in your memories and stories of the happy times.
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That’s very kind of you, thank you. A lot has happened back in England, and now everybody is beginning to settle into a ‘new normality’. Time and life wait for none of us.
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