I have always loved the Baz Luhrmann song Everybody’s Free. Whilst there is lots of advice that stands out I particularly like the line above that what blindsides you is something you never imagined on a random Tuesday afternoon. This week that happened to us, although it was a Wednesday afternoon rather than Tuesday. My husband had spoken to his dad earlier in the day and all was good and he was enjoying a coach day trip. We then had one of ‘those’ calls as we sat down to eat dinner. You know it’s bad news immediately, it’s the tone, the words, the absolute sick feeling in the pit of your stomach even before you know what’s happened. We learnt that my father in law had had a bad fall in a cafe on the trip and they were waiting for an ambulance to take him to hospital. From that moment on, we were reliant on the kindness of strangers to stay with him and get him to hospital as we were a 2.5 hour drive away and my sister in law was abroad on holiday. Everybody was amazing, I do believe, only strengthened by this experience that we are there for each other, and they got him safely to hospital where X-rays showed he had fractured his hip which led to a hip replacement operation. This meant that as soon as school finished on Friday night, it was a trip to Bristol to support him and my husband. I have nothing but praise, gratitude and respect for our wonderful NHS. It was the first time I’ve been to the new hospital building at Southmead and it is unbelievable, more like a hotel than a hospital. His single room is huge with everything he needs and an en suite. The staff have been brilliant and we know he is getting the best possible care. Our focus is now to support him in his recovery and we will need to have a few difficult conversations about his future plans. He is in his mid 90s and has always been fiercely independent but I fear that this accident may impact his current lifestyle. Whilst my son and I are back home tonight my husband remains in Bristol and I think this may be the pattern for the next few weeks.

With the week being turned upside down I was very grateful to be able to get to a parkrun. Saturday’s visiting hours were from 11am which gave me a window to run and just get in the right head space as I run for my mental as much as my physical wellbeing. Fortunately there is a run, minutes from my father in law’s house where we were staying, so I went simply for the parkrun, no faffing this week. It’s so close that I was home and in the shower by 9.45am, this has never happened before.

There are limited visitor facilities at any hospital but Southmead has a M&S and Costa, which meant nice drinks and snacks. I joke that I only ever use a Costa at a hospital or service station but it’s true and we worked our way through their new summer drinks menu over the days we were there. On the tough days you need those little glimmers and if a fancy drink was what did it for us this weekend, so be it.

Whilst it was easy to postpone my (much needed) hair appointment, my son did have a football tournament today, Sunday which he was really keen to play in. It was a very early start to get to the ground for the 10.30am start from Bristol. I do think after such a few stressful and worrying days it was important for him to be able to play, especially after all the time he has spent at the hospital with no word of complaint, he has only shown love and care to his grandad. Typically after some beautiful weather this weekend, it was dull and breezy on the touchline, but he had a great time and it was worth the early alarm call.

I normally have an idea of how my week is going to look , but for the moment we’re just going with the flow and making it all work.