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The kindness of strangers: When Mum was hospitalised on a family holiday, our hotel’s owners were heaven-sent

The Guardian UK Sunday 26 July 2026, 15:00 UTC By Melanie Brock, as told to Katie Cunningham 1 min read
Key Points

I was just 10 at the time but my siblings and I will never forget the sense of safety, comfort and warmth they offeredRead more in the kindness of strangers seriesWe were doing the groceries when a blood vessel burst in my mother’s brain. I was 10 years old and on a family holiday to France that very suddenly changed its tenor. In the following weeks Mum went through brain surgery, suffered a stroke and was placed in intensive care.

I was just 10 at the time but my siblings and I will never forget the sense of safety, comfort and warmth they offered

We were doing the groceries when a blood vessel burst in my mother’s brain. I was 10 years old and on a family holiday to France that very suddenly changed its tenor. In the following weeks Mum went through brain surgery, suffered a stroke and was placed in intensive care.

We had been staying in a gîte but moved to a small hotel closer to the hospital. It was a terrifying and stressful time, even as a young kid who knew things were serious – but didn’t understand quite how serious.

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Mum (PERSON) France (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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