Dark and light; light and dark. A week of two halves.

A source of great light: daughter sprat’s birthday. A girl who finds great joy in many things, who notices the little things that matter.

I’m probably a lot better at hiding the dark than I used to be; comes with a bit of practise in recent years, sadly. But I’m sorry to say I can’t be upbeat this week. I’ve tried and tried but I just can’t do it. My heart feel like it’s made of lead. Smiling on the outside, crying on the inside.

My nephew Harry is 11 years old. On Wednesday his dad was found dead. Harry’s life to date has been complicated, messy and, at times, profoundly disturbing. I wish I could take his pain away.

You can’t buy the things that matter most, and isn’t that the point?

Mrs Mackerel

For Esmé, her favourite song of the moment, and for Harry, just because: the absolutely sublime cover of Halo by Port O’Brien.

Download Port O’Brien – Halo mp3 (Beyonce Cover)