To All The Friends Out There
Dear All,
My Mum Molly was my best friend. It's a cliché but it's true! She was not just a devoted mother and wife but she was my teacher, my confidante, also a straight talker who would tell you things you didn't want to hear – but really needed to! Her compassion knew no limits. Her heart was as big as the moon. No – bigger!
From Mum, I inherited her love of old black and white films which we used to sit and watch together in an afternoon. I learnt too how to make a decent Victoria Sponge at her knee.
We'd also enjoy going to the ballet together, the Christmas magic of The Nutcracker would always enthral Mum and brought back so many memories for her. She used to tell me how as a little girl, her Auntie also called Molly, would take her for Afternoon Tea as a birthday treat to the local playhouse tea room. Every Christmas the playhouse would transform itself into a magical kingdom and luckily for Mum, whose birthday lay towards the end of January, the playhouse would keep their beautiful decorations in place until then.
Mum was also a devoted best friend to her little sister, my Auntie Rena. As children over World War Two, they shared a bedroom before going on to share their lives as wives, mothers then grannies! Through the storms and summers of life, they were there for each other.
Every evening at 7.30pm my Mum would phone Rena. They'd talk about everything from the weather to shopping to old family memories of going to the cinema as young children with their beloved. maternal Grannie Dawson.
When my Mum died suddenly I decided to keep this tradition going. I too phone Rena every night at 7.30pm. We too talk about the weather, what we've watched on TV - Bob and Paul's fishing programme is a particular favourite. We're not just Auntie and Niece, I'd like to think we've become wonderful friends too especially as her health has proved a challenge for her over recent times.
As Auntie Rena and my Mum Molly supported and cared affectionately for each other over the years, their friendship, their bond has evolved naturally to include me in Mum's absence. Some may say it's gone full circle. Perhaps, it's just the power of real, true friendship which so little people find or have.
Whoever your friends are, embrace them and enjoy them. If they are no longer with you physically, trust me, they are still there as are the memories and stories which will ensure they are never forgotten.
To you and all your friends, take very good care.
Lindsay.