Asha Mehta

1 month ago | takeabreak.co.uk | Asha Mehta

Watching my dad Stephen boogie around the kitchen, I couldn’t help but smile. It was my engagement party and despite his poor health, it didn’t stop Dad, 63, from joining in. ‘Come and have a dance with your grandad,’ he said to my daughter SammyJo, 12, who giggled as he twirled her around. My daughter was the apple of his eye. ‘Mummy, he’s my best friend,’ SammyJo told me. He hadn’t been the best father, but he was the perfect grandad.

1 month ago | takeabreak.co.uk | Asha Mehta

I had never trusted my niece Mandy, but when she moved in with my frail mum, I couldn’t have imagined how low she’d stoop…By Ron Hutchings, 74Visiting my mum Joyce one day, she looked as if she was on cloud nine. ‘We’re moving to a four-bed council house with a downstairs bathroom and bedroom, love,’ she told me. Mum was in her 80s and unable to use the stairs, so I was pleased.

1 month ago | takeabreak.co.uk | Asha Mehta

After I lost my husband, I was looking for a purpose. But my calling came in an unexpected way. By Ruth Grover, 68As I stared at the screen, I tried to make sense of the message I’d just received. But I couldn’t. I thought: Why on earth would someone like that be contacting me? A few days earlier, I’d created my very first Facebook account to keep in touch with friends and family abroad. I’d written my status as widow. That’s who I am now, I’d thought, blinking back tears.

Feb 4, 2025 | takeabreak.co.uk | Asha Mehta

I’d was still reeling from my son’s frightening diagnosis when I got a shocking call from the hospital about my husband. By Clare Jones, 42Sinking into the pool, a feeling of contentment washed over me. My hubby Brad and I were enjoying a weekend break with our kids Octavia, eight, and Julius, four. While Octavia splashed about, Brad was helping Julius stay afloat. But as I watched, I saw our little boy freeze. His face paled and he began leaning to one side. ‘What’s happening?’ I said.

Jan 22, 2025 | takeabreak.co.uk | Asha Mehta

When Kaitlin’s little brother Karlton, five, slipped away at a family party, she could never have imagined the tragedy that would unfold…Hearing a cry, I turned to see a baby boy with jet-black hair being held by the midwife. ‘Wow, he’s huge!’ I marvelled, as my brother was passed to our mum Lisa and then my stepdad, Karl. Later, after he’d been cleaned and weighed, Mum smiled at me. ‘Would you like to hold him, Kaitlin?’ she asked. ‘Love to,’ I nodded.