Today would have been my Mum's 80th birthday, had she been alive. Instead she died when she was 57 from cancer.
So me and my sister have been without her for a long time.
It doesn't hurt any more, except for rare occasions, and when they happen they are as bad as any time in the past when I've missed her.
To mark the day I suggested that we meet up for lunch. But neither of us could get together till late, so I suggested I make a picnic and we have it in my sisters garden.
Being organised last night I put the ice packs in the freezer, and made a list of what I had to nip out for first thing. Which I duly did.
I turned up at N's clutching a bouquet of red roses that I'd ordered. Red roses where the flowers the N had made into wreaths for both our parents, I opted for yellow ones both times. And my picnic basket.
Grabbing rugs and cushions we went into her garden and I laid out my picnic. I did feel a bit like Ratty in Wind in the Willows as N sat there exclaiming over all the goodies that came out of my bag, as the Mole had done when he saw Rat's picnic. Only difference between me and Ratty was he had ginger beer and I'd brought half a bottle of champagne!
So there we sat in the now cloudy and cooler weather than of late remembering our Mum. It was such a lovely time together, we despite only living half a mile apart don't see each other that much. Unless I make the effort to demand a visit, my sister is a fairly anti-social creature, so it was a treat.
As ever when we are together conversation was about our families and our plans, and we are both on the cusp of big changes, as are two youngest children. So it is a time of uncertainty and potential fear as change is always threatening somewhere down the line.
Then I walked home only to have left on my doorstep a little while later a packet of mussels, a pack of raspberries and a pot of cream, along with an awful lot of freesias, as her thank you for my part in making the day special.
Since it's been a day for families I thought you might like to see me with my Alex, Kit and N.
Oh and for anyone who reads me on facebook and has noticed how many pics I'm wearing stripped tops I need you to know that I have 10 of them, all slightly different!!!
