Looking out for each other

Hearts, health and hope

The last 18 months have brought us all challenges, changes and for some, they just can’t be put right. But in life, you always look for a solution, so as we look ahead to spring days and some better weather, I wanted to share some thoughts.

When a child suffers the devastating loss of parent, this simply cannot be overcome – and one of the toughest jobs is raising a child that has lost a parent when you yourself are grieving. Having been through this this both as a child and as a mother and wife 30 years later, I am all too experienced in this role -it’s like an exclusive club no one wants to join! That’s why I wanted to broach this and raise some awareness.

With love, support and kindness, children come through the toughest times, grow a resilience that will, in time, help them through young adult life. It’s not simply a loss to get over but a life event that you must face and learn to live with over time.

I realise this isn't Facebook, but it is a forum where I feel it may benefit my friends, colleagues and extended LinkedIn connections if I post this as it may resonate. I want to say: please go and have that heart check ? We might seem fit and healthy on the outside but please don't risk going through what my family and two sons have been put through at such a young age.

MCM will be supporting British Heart Foundation in honour of our company founder Jason Matthias and our sons will be continuing to share and raise awareness of the risks of cardiac arrest which cause so many lives to be lost so suddenly and dramatically.

We will also be supporting Winston’s Wish, an extremely worthy charitable organisation helping children who have lost parents or siblings. These people give up their time voluntarily to help in person. With Covid-19, so many more families will sadly be suffering, and I just wanted to make sure that positives can be drawn from the pain endured in life by helping someone, somewhere.

I hope my post will help anyone who has suffered loss or for those who are just going through difficult times in life and remember – it’s okay not to be okay.

Emotional intelligence is something that will become a valuable skill in people as this level of empathy and understanding cannot be taught. This will bring positivity into a company's culture - something we at MCM have benefited from immensely.

Love from MCM family past, present and future. And here's to a bright and sunny Tuesday!