I have known Mum (mother-in-law) since 1982. Even though we live in Germany Mum and Dad always found the time to visit and likewise we stayed in their home once maybe even twice a year. Their visits coincided of course with births, Christmases and summer holidays, where both enthusiastically helped looking after the little ones and loved being involved with the older children. Mum and Dad doted on the kids and would gladly go visiting German castles, lakes, museums, parks and completely immerse themselves in our lives. Sometimes they would stay with us over the whole summer and it would be gone in a flash, we were completely in sync.
When we stayed with them it always amused us how mum would get annoyed with the characters in Cory or Emmerdale, she took it so seriously. She would also tell it like it is, quite often Jill had to remind her that many Germans understood English as she would quite loudly pronounce that the lady was a biggun. I loved her short, sharp direct northern humor and know exactly where her children got theirs from.
In 2016 mum visited us for the last time, Jill looked after her for about 6 weeks and we all took turns pushing her around the local countryside. Although she still walked in the apartment (even walking up and down the stairs once a day) , she was happy. I remember having many detailed conversations with her about her past trying to get those neurons firing again and was amazed how good her long term memory was, all the kids names in her school classes and the intrigues of family tales. So many of us would like these conversations but think there’s always another day.
The reason I have mentioned Dad in mums tribute so much, is because they were a team and after Dad passed away we lost part of mum. I believe this was not just down to her illness. She can be proud of the legacy she and dad have left behind. The 4 Children, 10 Grandchildren and 16 uGreatgrandchildren that’s some going.
I truly hope that if there is something after this life and that mum has found peace and happiness with her Fred, Tony, her parents, friends and her two Bens.
Love you Mum xxxx
Glenn
22nd April 2020