Pick Me Up! 08-Jul-2021

Back when I was a child, I was one of two black people in my school. Whilst I don’t consider myself to have been bullied, I had a lot of questions about the colour of my skin, as well as my afro hair. I just got on with things, but I hoped things would change by the time I had my own kids. However, fast forward 20 years, and my son Jaden comes home at the age of four crying his eyes out. ‘What’s the matter?’ I asked. ‘I hate my hair. I want it gone,’ he sobbed. After a bit of pressing, it turned out he was the only kid in his reception class with afro hair and he felt isolated. I realised that day that things haven’t changed…

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This is me, my boyfriend Adam and my nephew Arthur in Zante. Alexandra Low, Halesowen This is my daughter Mia when she was enjoying our picnic in the park over the bank holiday. Richard Adams, West Midlands STAR LETTER I’m 61 and have just found a new hobby! Elizabeth Williams, Llanelli My little man, Amari, fits quite nicely with my garden gnomes. Sian Salsbury, Cradley Heath My lovely granddaughters were overjoyed to get in their water tortoise for the first sunny day of the year. Patricia Cordon, Glos If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing…

Watching the sun rise over the water with my daughter Alayna, I soaked in the magical moment. It was pure bliss. My husband, Alex, 49, and I were on a family holiday in Mallorca, making the most of our time together before Alayna and Maysa – our three-year-old twins – started school. Later that day, I pulled on my running gear, and set out for a jog along the promenade – a hobby I’d taken up while we’d been on our break. That morning, there seemed to be more people than usual out and about, so I had to weave myself between other runners. Suddenly, I lost my footing and went flying to the floor – landing with a thud. Blushing crimson with embarrassment, I winced in the pain. A…

Solve the puzzle to spell out a term related to the picture. The arrows show you where to put your answers. The answer is spelled in the yellow squares. Hot Trend! Go faux! Bring greenery inside This week’s puzzle answers! Planetary…

Dashing to the bathroom, I clutched my baby bump as I hunched over the loo By the third trimester, I expected the morning sickness to have calmed down, but it remained just as bad for my entire pregnancy. ‘Can’t wait to get you out of there,’ I joked, rubbing my burgeoning bump. It was 2016 and I was expecting my first child with my partner, Harry*, 29. Despite the horrendous morning sickness, we were so excited, especially when we found out we were having a little girl. However, at a 37-week scan, doctors noticed she had stopped growing and had reduced movement. ‘We’re going to induce you early,’ the consultant suggested. Although it was three weeks early, the doctor wasn’t overly concerned, and medical staff reassured me it was just…