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Easter Hope:

Happy Easter to you! Today is Easter Saturday, the strange day between the shock and trauma of the Good Friday crucifixion, and the sudden unexpected joy of the Easter Sunday resurrection.

Jane and I have been trapped in a kind of perpetual Easter Saturday for the past twenty-one months, ever since Lizzie was taken.

On that original Saturday, the disciples and the women had no idea that the next day would bring a transformative event, one that would banish their despair and usher in hope.

Whatever ‘Easter Saturday’ moment you may be enduring, may your Easter Sunday come soon.

Andy’s Man Club:

I’ve now attended two sessions at Andy’s Man Club. If you’re not familiar with it, Andy’s Man Club is a UK-wide network of free support groups where men can talk openly about the storms in their lives in a safe, judgment-free environment.

The group is named after Andrew Roberts, who tragically took his own life at just 23 in 2016. His family had no idea he was suffering so deeply. In the wake of his death, they began exploring the issue of male suicide and mental health. They soon learned that suicide is the leading cause of death among men under 54 in the UK – a crisis made worse by the persistent cultural stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

As men, we can be very skilled at hiding dark thoughts, especially when hope begins to slip away. Even in just two sessions, Andy’s Man Club has provided me with a valuable outlet to express some of the overwhelming frustration I’ve been carrying.

Next week:

On Tuesday, I have a meeting with the caseworker appointed by Melanie Onn MP. In March, I delivered around thirty letters to the constituency office; letters from family, friends and FASD professionals. Each one is a heartfelt testament to how utterly inconceivable it is that Lizzie would choose, of her own free will and without coercion, to completely cut herself off from everyone who loves and supports her.

I really, truly hope the caseworker has read every single one of those letters.

This meeting is intended to prepare for a rescheduled appointment with Melanie Onn next Saturday. Since a surgery appointment only lasts twenty minutes, it made sense to arrange a more in-depth discussion beforehand to review the key facts.

There’s also a possibility that the second report from Linkage College will be ready in time for that meeting.

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Thank you for reading. If you have any insights, comments or advice, please feel free to add them below.