One of the hardest things for me to accept has been that I am not asking anyone to build my life for me—I have spent my life doing that myself. Stephen and I built our home together. We built my miniature business together. He believed in my work, encouraged every project and celebrated every achievement. My dream has always been to continue creating, writing and, one day, establish a permanent home where my miniature work can be enjoyed by others. His sudden death did not take away my determination or my ability to continue. What it took away was the stability that made those things possible. Since then, I have done everything that has been asked of me. I have provided evidence, completed forms, written countless letters, met every requirement placed before me and patiently waited whilst legal and administrative processes take their course. Yet despite all of this, no practical solution has yet emerged that would enable me either to remain in Germany or return to the UK with security and dignity. The British Embassy in Berlin recognised me as an extremely vulnerable person and my contact there has continued to do everything within their power to help me, for which I will always be grateful. However, despite my efforts and despite seeking assistance from both Germany and the UK, no concrete practical help has yet come to fruition that would allow me to move forward. The reality is that I cannot afford to stay in Germany, I cannot afford to leave Germany, and I cannot afford to return to the UK without help (UK return does require German courts to speed up their current response times to probate/estate/legal issues). It is an impossible position that I never imagined finding myself in. As I approach what feels like my eleventh hour, with important deadlines in Germany drawing ever closer, I have had to accept something I never thought I would say. My first instinct after Stephen's death was, "I have to return to the UK." It was the obvious place to rebuild my life, to be nearer my family and to continue (not the future Stephen and I had planned, but a future that honored it). However, I have been deeply saddened that, despite all my efforts, the practical help needed to make that possible has not materialised. I could get political about why I think this has happened, but I am resisting this (all I can say is I am hard working, have no criminal record and want all people to be happy, kind and enjoy beautiful things). Today, my hope is no longer tied to one country over another. It is simply tied to wherever I am given the genuine opportunity to continue this journey. Whether that opportunity comes from Germany recognising my exceptional circumstances and helping me remain here, or from the UK helping me return home, I will be forever grateful to whichever country ultimately gives me the chance to rebuild my life, continue my miniature work, contribute once again through the work I love, and honour Stephen's memory by carrying forward the future we dreamed of together. That is all I have ever wanted: not for someone else to build my future, but simply to be given the opportunity to continue it. I thank everyone who has given to my Buymeacoffee page and also the messages of support which have meant more to me than I can ever express xx