In Loving Memory

Tomorrow I'm doing what all good Dodo's of their day stupidly did when the bite of winter grows sharp... I'm heading North.... heading up to the north-east of England where the rocky shores greet the strong icy Siberian winds like a long lost friend, where the snow falls deep and the temperatures fall deeper. I am returning to my roots, to the place of my childhood. On my last visit in April, my family were torn apart with grief at the passing of our beloved mother, my father lost his childhood sweetheart and soul mate after a mere 64 years together, her life force fading away as they held hands.....and heaven received a new Angel.
 Following Mum's death, the family had to wait nine days before the funeral service, hanging on in a silent mournful limbo, unable to do anything, unable to even consider a future without Mum.
I had a lot of free time alone to wander and wander I did, often disappearing for many hours. I completely wore out my favourite shoes, wandering, to search out the places once cherished but then forgotten, I had time to revisit childhood memories buried deep within the vast pile of storage boxes stored in some dark corner of my brain. Memories triggered by places and sights that were once so familiar, some unchanged, some gone, pulled down and rebuilt over in the name of progress but still there in my minds eye.

Tomorrow I will revisit my old home town with refreshed eyes, probably tearful eyes as it's Mum's birthday on Monday, so we will take Dad along the sea front to Mum's favourite spot, where her memorial bench now sits, with it's shiny brass plaque, welcoming weary walkers and old friends alike to sit for a while and enjoy her favourite view. A view that for me, recalls so many memories of family days out spent picnicking and exploring the shore.

In Loving Memory of Mary Ellen Campbell, My Mum