Friday 12 December 2014

(Little) Boys Keep Swinging

I took a sabbatical from work in 2010 and was able to spend a great deal of time with Mum during the final months of her life. When she felt up to it, I'd throw the wheelchair into the back of the car and we'd go for a pub lunch, visit a garden centre or just take a drive in the country. Increasingly though, the destination for our outings was the hospital, for tests, X-Rays, blood transfusions and, ever more regularly, periods of in-patient care.

Unfortunately, when I think of Mum now, it's often as she was in those last few months - unwell, infirm, dying. Luckily though, there are many photos in the family archive to remind me of how I should really remember her. Take this one for example.


It's the Summer of 1964, we're on holiday at Jaywick Sands and I'm a four year old scaredy cat on the swings, barely moving and steadfastly refusing any offers of a push. Mum tries to encourage me by going higher and higher herself, showing me that it's safe. I'm at once excited and terrified, for her and for me. She's laughing, full of fun, full of mischief, full of life. And this is how I think of her today, the fourth anniversary of her passing.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a lovely memory to treasure. My thoughts are with you today, sir.

The Swede said...

Thank you SB.

C said...

Such a lovely, touching way to remember your dear mum. The photo is wonderful!

John Medd said...

Lovely lovely photo. Thanks for sharing.

Verity said...

That's a really lovely post. Sadly, that's so true about the final years of our parents lives. Your Mum would be rightly proud of you.

If it's not too trite to say I love the song you used as accompaniment.

The Swede said...

Thank you C and John and also to you Verity for stopping by and leaving such kind words.

Erik Bartlam said...

That's fun...she seems lovely.

Not long ago my Daddy was telling me the story of how he tricked my Grandaddy into going on a doctors appointment. Daddy was worried and it turned out my Grandaddy had diabetes. Said it was one of the only times his Daddy was truly furious with him.

At some point in the conversation it occurs to me that both of them were younger when it happened than I was when I was hearing it. Just impossible...I could not see it. Not that they had been young once but, that I conceive of them being younger than me...it's nature of our relationship I think.

I vivid memories of my Moma in her 20's...but that would make me twice her age and I just can't think of her that way...I automatically turn 8 again.

Old Pa's Corner said...

Great PIC TS. I think it is so horrible when people deteriate and and that is the last memories some people have of their loved ones.

But to have such pics as that to enhance your memory can only be good. It is great you managed to have spent so much time with her in her last months.

Scott said...

Such a lovely photo to accompany a very moving and touching post. Thanks for sharing.

The Swede said...

Thank you all for your kind words guys.

Old Pa's Corner said...

Just a quick message TS thanks for all the comments. I will try and get a chance to get to your posts over in the UK but it is going to be hectic, I have to go to Edinburgh while I am there as Brother has the big C and looks bad. But have a graet Xmas and all that Jazz and more next year please...I will copy the same message to SB too. L OP x

Greatest Hits