Mum

Having settled into Hafen Wen, our first trip was to see my mum in Ripley.  My heart felt as dreary as the scene as we drove through. I wasn’t sure what to expect.  The nursing staff had always seemed very gentle and caring but not knowing where she was living always made me anxious.  I was glad that Mark was meeting us there.

I’m always shocked and emotional to see the changes in my mum after a year.  It’s like seeing the changes in a newborn baby over twelve months.  She is still painfully thin, has lost teeth and most of her eyesight but her hair is still as thick and luxurious as ever.  

Someone had taken great care dressing her.  She wore a smart red dress with a necklace.  Her nails were manicured and painted and her hair freshly set.   I’m not sure she recognised me.  We went for a walk to her room.   It took forever.  She is still very determined but so weak.  

Her room is modern and well furnished and the photographs make it feel familiar.  Everyone has chosen pictures to put on their door so that they can find their room.  I wasn't surprised that mum had chosen praying hands draped with a rosary, but I was amazed that she had chosen a cyclist.  It brought back memories that she and dad had met in the cycling club and a cycle ride of 100 miles in a day was nothing to them.

Back in the dining room, I helped to feed her for a while, but to be honest she wasn’t really interested.  It was awful when it was time to go as I felt I was deserting her.  It was good though, to catch up with my nephew Mark, over a pub lunch.  Some of you will remember Mark as he lived with us for a year.  Can you believe he is 50 in a couple of week’s time?  He is the main contact now for Mum, as he lives a few minutes away.  Brian and Dot have now moved to Gibraltar to be with Jonathan and Nicky is in Ireland.

Next morning, she was sleepy.  Everyone told us she was worn out because she had been the life and soul of the party after we left.  At first, she was busy with her prayers.  Then she seemed to be aware of me,  grasped my hand, tucked her head into my shoulder and promptly fell asleep.  So she slept for the most of my visit.  

A sad trip back to Wales, lightened, by a walk through Ross on Wye. 

John Kyrle was an incredible man who used all of his wealth to improve his community.  He introduced a public water supply to the town and laid out the Prospect Gardens (which we walked). He also reconstructed and added pinnacles to the unsafe 14th century spire of the Church of St. Mary and gave it a magnificent tenor bell. He sponsored the causeway to the nearby Witton Bridge and set up funds for needy local children to attend school. Each Christmas all the town widows were given enough coal to last them through the winter.  

Thanks John... your walk certainly bolstered our spirits!