A FRIEND FOR LIFE
WOMAN'S OWN|March 21, 2022
Two women open up about the special bond they share
- MISHAAL KHAN
A FRIEND FOR LIFE

‘Fiona was at my door as soon as she found out’

Louise Morse is a cognitive behavioural therapist and lives in Cwmbran, South Wales.

One of my favourite pastimes is sitting in the garden with my friend and neighbour Fiona, and putting the world to rights over a bottle of wine. We relate on so many levels and can spend hours chatting about our families and work or discussing the meaning of life. Despite a substantial age gap, there’s no question about it - Fiona is one of my dearest friends.

Fiona and I met when I moved house in 2003, and every day, my grandchildren, Luke, then four, and Lucy, two, came to me after school and nursery. Fiona was a single mum, with five children at the time, and her eldest was a year older than Luke, so the children spent many hours playing together on our cul-de-sac.

Over the years, a friendship blossomed between us. Fiona has a cracking sense of humour, and I was so impressed with how she raised her children singlehandedly. She always made me feel welcome, inviting me to family BBQs in her garden.

In October 2018, I lost my son Hywel, then 51, after a 14-year battle with leukaemia. I was devastated and Fiona was a huge support.

But just a few weeks later, in December 2018, Luke, 19 by then, was killed in a freak motorbike accident on a deserted country road. Losing Luke so soon after Hywel, and at such a young age, was crushing.

Luke and his uncle Hywel were doppelgangers, handsome and intelligent, with the same droll sense of humour. Although I’d experienced grief, losing my husband in 1995, this was different. As a mother, you never want to imagine losing a child, let alone a grandchild.

UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT

この蚘事は WOMAN'S OWN の March 21, 2022 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は WOMAN'S OWN の March 21, 2022 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

WOMAN'S OWNのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
WOMAN'S OWN

MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS

Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards

time-read
2 分  |
October 28, 2024
I HATE BEING A MUM
WOMAN'S OWN

I HATE BEING A MUM

One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother

time-read
5 分  |
October 28, 2024
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
WOMAN'S OWN

SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM

Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff

time-read
2 分  |
October 28, 2024
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
WOMAN'S OWN

DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR

Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions

time-read
2 分  |
October 28, 2024
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
WOMAN'S OWN

SEX HORRORS SOLVED!

Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice

time-read
2 分  |
October 28, 2024
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
WOMAN'S OWN

THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER

More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever

time-read
3 分  |
October 28, 2024
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
WOMAN'S OWN

DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN

The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!

time-read
2 分  |
October 28, 2024
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
WOMAN'S OWN

TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER

Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner

time-read
4 分  |
October 28, 2024
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
WOMAN'S OWN

AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?

With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?

time-read
3 分  |
October 28, 2024
Get the GOSS
WOMAN'S OWN

Get the GOSS

Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories

time-read
1 min  |
October 28, 2024