adam-golightly

How to survive the death of a loved one

After Helen died, writing this column helped me through my grief. In this, my final offering, I’d like to help others by sharing what I’ve learned

Adam Golightly

22, Apr, 2017 @5:45 AM

I want my children to have a positive memorial to their mother

Stained-glass panels will be constant reminders of her in our house, overlooking the lives of which she is still a part

Adam Golightly

15, Apr, 2017 @5:45 AM

Rio Ferdinand’s story of his wife’s death affected me in unexpected ways

His documentary was compelling and made me cry tears of grief for the first time since Helen’s diagnosis

Adam Golightly

08, Apr, 2017 @5:44 AM

After great loss, it’s kindness that sees us through

Brendan Cox’s good sense born out of bereavement as he talked about the Westminster attack shows how kindness can work wonders

Adam Golightly

01, Apr, 2017 @5:45 AM

I overhear some local women gossip about me and decide to act

Going unrecognised in a cafe, it stings to overhear that I am suffering either a midlife crisis or a second childhood, but then I undress and they are suitably shocked …

Adam Golightly

25, Mar, 2017 @6:44 AM

On our first date, Monica the vulture pokes her beak hard into Helen’s history

If dating profiles are like Philip Pullman’s dæmons, I am coming to realise that mine is still only half-formed

Adam Golightly

18, Mar, 2017 @6:45 AM

In my version of the mother-in-law joke, the punchline is our happiness together

I worried that the death of our loved-one-in-common would kill the bond between us – so with trepidation I sat my in-laws down to share heartfelt truths

Adam Golightly

11, Mar, 2017 @6:45 AM

When the cat goes missing, I have an awful sense of fear

Harry is an online dating asset – all my matches like cats. He is also the ersatz fourth member of the family

Adam Golightly

04, Mar, 2017 @6:45 AM

The government has the newly bereaved in its sights – and we should all get angry

Bereavement benefits are about to be overhauled and newly bereaved families will be left without the long-term help that I’ll continue to receive

Adam Golightly

25, Feb, 2017 @6:45 AM

In a charity shop I find my dad, and embrace my inner Caractacus Potts

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has always been a favourite of team Golightly. But I hadn’t realised why it had been so important to me as a child

Adam Golightly

18, Feb, 2017 @6:45 AM

Why I’m dreading Valentine’s Day

There are several dates that I’m fearing – Helen’s birthday, Mother’s Day – but none more so than 14 February, which just reminds me of our last poignant Valentine’s Day together watching Brief Encounter

Adam Golightly

11, Feb, 2017 @6:45 AM