Clare Smart. Celebrant and Blogger: Life as a Brain Cancer Carer then Young Widow/Solo Parent
Most days I miss you in moments. When our son laughs or our daughter wants an extra hug. When a memory arises that I can no longer share with you or when our children reach a milestone or make me proud. When a headline or seeing one of our friends reminds me that you arent... Continue Reading →
A short poem about removing my wedding rings.
How I supported my young children in their grief by listening, adapting and utilsing play therapy.
As a terminal cancer carer, how to remain grounded and practice self care but at the same time remain linked to everyone and keep everyone updated?
What have I gleaned from my experience of the loss of my late husband that can ground me as I now grieve for the more recent loss of my father?
At my late husband's funeral I felt surrounded by love yet also isolated by
my responsibilities as a mother of two bereft young children,
my role as the bereaved widow and hostess, and
my personal grief.
What do you do when dreams bring to light some of your thoughts and questions from your subconscious? Since my late husband died, I have had several confronting, poignant dreams that have prompted me to face truths and emotions. One particularly unsettling dream occurred several times. This is what happened. My recurring dream My late... Continue Reading →
I am proud of my 8 year old daughter. Yesterday she was brave. In the face of loss and grief she chose love, kindness, creativity, compassion and gratitude. She lost her father five years ago to brain cancer when she was just three years old. Her grandfather (my father) died from Alzheimers disease three months... Continue Reading →
When I became a young widow and single mum, I tried to return to my default way of living - before children and before cancer. It was: Achieve, Control, Independence, Busyness. I found that returning to that way of living was impossible. It took me a while to listen to my heart whisper "Surrender and Trust". A... Continue Reading →
Rainbows & Rollercoasters 