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Wendy Varley's avatar

Thanks for pointing me here, Kay. I remembered reading it previously and must have already hearted it, because it was already lit up! Really appreciate your writing.

I was thinking about our connections with hospital wards. After my youngest granddaughter was born, she was taken up to the Neonatal care unit for a blood test. I accompanied my daughter and her to the ward and as soon as I heard the bleep bleeps of the monitors and saw the incubators, I remembered my daughter being on a special care unit for days after she was born and had to fight back tears. Such intense places.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Ah, thank you for having hearted! It’s such an alien place being on a hospital ward — I always hate to think of all the parents going through it. I thought it might resonate with those who have been there. X

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Wendy Varley's avatar

It absolutely did, Kay. x

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you so much xx

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Esther Nagle's avatar

What a beautiful, heartbreaking read. Thank you for sharing such a tender heartfelt memory.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you so much, Esther - I still can’t quite believe we made it out the other side x

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Vincent Raison's avatar

This is lovely, tender work, Kay. It brought back some difficult memories, but I'm glad you did. I try not to think of the nights at the children's hospital but you've reminded me that they're not only heartbreaking, they can also be inspirational. And besides the fellow parents and patients, there are some wonderful people working there.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you, Vincent. I do feel awful for people revisiting those tough times, but I love that you say they can be inspirational. That’s so true. And the people we met over the years working in those hospitals were nothing short of angels. I was there on my own with my son & the staff got me through - nurses, doctors, chaplain, support staff on the wards. It’s a place where people are at their most vulnerable and they did so much to keep me going.

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Vincent Raison's avatar

I feel for you doing it on your own, it must have been so awfully hard. At least there were two of us. We now have a healthy teenage boy, so it's a while ago, but I'm not sure we were ever quite the same.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

It was a very isolating time. My son’s 26 now and had more surgery last year. He has quite a complex medical history and will always have difficulties, but he’s quite an incredible young man. I’m so glad your son is doing so well. I don’t think we ever are the same - it’s impossible to grasp unless you’ve lived through it I think.

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sixmorecharacters's avatar

My eyes are stinging. You have captured pain and emptiness in so few words.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you so much - but sorry for making your eyes sting ❤️

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Kathryn Koromilas's avatar

Oh, wow, Kay - I felt as if I were sinking into this piece of writing. I have a strong feeling now - I think it will stay with me.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Oh thank you so much, Kathryn - I’m so happy this piece has got so much love. 🧡

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Jayne Marshall's avatar

Such a beautiful and crushing piece of writing ❤️ My heart breaks for what is behind it, what bought this writing into the world, but its beauty stands alone. One of sorrow's gifts ❤️

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you so much, Jayne. I guess there will always remain those ghost memories of that place 💜

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Siobhán O'Connor's avatar

The panic... I really felt it. Amazing job.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you so much ❤️

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Harriet Mason's avatar

Wow Kay. This felt so pared back and was the more powerful for it. Each word mattered & I felt this in my stomach.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Harriet, thank you so much - that means such a lot!! 💜

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Robyn Stratton-Berkessel's avatar

Gripping and tender!

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you, dearest Robyn! 🩷

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Kiwiwriter47's avatar

Wow.

Just.....wow.

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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you so much 🩷

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Jul 17
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Kay Stratton's avatar

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words ❤️

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