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Friday 1 April 2011

A marker

A blog isn't a diary. When you sit down to write a post, it's an exercise in editing your life. Friends read it, as well as bloggers who have come to be friends, but also there are people out there reading it that you know nothing about.

When something happens that is a body blow to your family, that leaves you gasping and unable to conjure up enthusiasm for posts about poached eggs or crafts or ships in bottles, it must be marked. But to reveal specific details would get too close, would change your blog somehow, would pull down the floaty comedy curtain that you have hung between your blog identity and your real life.

I'll just say this. Those politicians who spend their days attacking public spending, watching from afar the closure of libraries, the cuts to arts organisations, and the changes to services for ill or disabled people, I wonder if they realise what they are actually watching. It's the threat over family's livelihoods, their hopes, and the attempted destruction of things that people have worked passionately for years to build. I wonder if these politicians sleep at night.

Because we can't. We've barely slept at all this week.




38 comments:

  1. I would like to say I hope things get better soon - but it seems rather trite. I hope you know what I mean. Beautifully written.

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  2. Oh, what a sad post. I do hope that things will improve and soon.

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  3. Oh no. It sounds like your life has been turned upside down this week. Thinking of you. And hoping for some better days soon.

    Hugs. xx

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  4. I've been thinking about you much in the last days. I'm still doing so - not that it will help, but just know I'm doing it.

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  5. I hope things improve for you somehow. Funny how there always seems to be public money available for dumb car races (we have a grand prix here that no one wants) or a new nuclear reactor or two, but not for the important stuff.

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  6. I'm thinking of you. I'm not sure what's happened, but it's clearly life changing. I hope it can turn around.

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  7. You know I'm over here, thinking on you.

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  8. I wish that people would understand the impact that changes have at grass routes level. I am thinking of you adn yours

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  9. I hope things get better soon, a really sad post :( x.

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  10. Life, we live it. What you said, you said well.

    Thinking of you.

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  11. You're right, I don't know you and so feel a bit daft to be sending you best wishes when I don't know what's happened. But the blogging world does that - allows you a glimpse into other people's lives. Mostly it's all the good bits, forever breezy/chirpy, determinedly cheerful. So, all I can say is thank you for giving us a glimpse of the trauma you're facing now. We all have our own private dramas to contend with sooner or later and it's good to know there are people out there, even those we don't know, wishing the best of us.

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  12. XO.
    Not much else I can offer.

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  13. oh.

    pants.

    I'm sorry...

    big hug.

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  14. DH had mentioned some of the things going on in your neck of the woods and I did wonder if they would effect you. I guess this has answered my wonderings.

    I know it's silly to say I am sorry, but I am. I know the hopelessness and despiration that comes from watching your life and livelihood fall into the hands of idiots and then watch as they shred and devalue it to nothing. These are sad times for all of the UK and sadder still when you are the casuality in their war on...well, everything.

    (((())))

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  15. And I'm over here, thinking of you too.

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  16. And I'm WAY over here, thinking of you constantly. See email.

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  17. I can only wish you and yours the very best and send you some positive blogosphere thoughts. I agree totally about the short-term, knee-jerk mindlessness being exhibited by our current set of berks - so many services, relationships and livelihoods sacrificed for the 'national interest', whatever that might be. Things will get better.

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  18. I respect your choice to stay eloquently private, but extend my best wishes to you and your family

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  19. big hugs xxx if only a plaster from Miss K could sort it out....

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  20. And I too, from all the way over here, am thinking of you.

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  21. For what it is worth, my thoughts are with you through what is a far from wonderful time.

    [I was going to write something about the horror I feel at the cuts, but I think you have written far more eloquently than I ever could]

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  22. Whatever blessings/strength/miracles you need, may it be granted to you.

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  23. And we don't know each other either, but I send you my best wishes.

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  24. A beautifully written 'marker' - I am at a loss as to what to say other than

    No, I don't think they do think about it at grass-roots, or indeed, any level ... and I'm pretty sure they sleep soundly.

    Wishing you love and enough love to keep that comedy curtain hanging x

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  25. I'm so sorry things are so stressful for you at the moment. I think we're all hoping for better times, and more thoughtfulness in decision making.

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  26. I don't know you at all but I can only sympathise... whatever has happened to you sounds awful. I really hope you find a way out soon.

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  27. I hope all of our little "connections in a box" are at least some small comfort!

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  28. I am sorry to read this post. Don't let the bastards grind you down.

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  29. It's a strange interface - a blog. We choose a voice and for the most part we are saddled with it, regardless of what life throws at us. I suppose that's why some people just disappear. Thanks for not. I hope you get some sleep soon.

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  30. I'm so sorry to hear, but thank you for letting us know. If it is possible to raise a voice to support you somehow, please mention it.

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  31. Hey -- I'm thinking of you, too --

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  32. I'm glad you found a way to mark what's going on without sacrificing your floaty curtain. Not least because you know how much we are thinking of you and hoping for a way forward.

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  33. courage dear coffees, courage.

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  34. I don't think it is an easy job making decisions in government and I do think we are fortunate in living in countries with checks and balances. Having said that, I reckon that it will always be the people at the coalface of these decisions who lose the sleep, never the people handing them down from on high. I hope whatever is facing your family, will not be as terrible as it appears to you this week. And I am thinking of you.

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