Reflecting back over the last 12 years, since 2005 when my transplant took place. Thanks to Dot, my donor – without her I might be in a different place right now. She was a wonderful lady.
Well, my years have been wonderful. I have been abroad many times – cruises, coach trips, car trips galore! My three children got married to three beautiful partners and have now given me three grandchildren – Breagha, Aryan, Odhran. I pray to God that my daughter-in-law, who is like my daughter, and my son are able to have a child. They are both good people and worthy of a child. They will make wonderful parents.
We have had holidays together. Suman and Breagha, we took to Spain with our timeshare. Uma, Aman and Aryan to wonderful Wales. Sorry guys, that wasn’t the experience you expected! The weather and the area weren’t great. I did enjoy the long atmospheric drive, when we went to the slate area and had tea at a hotel. That place was beautiful. I can’t remember the name. Suman and Uma have both had timeshare holidays.
And what about our trips to the Lake District? Wychnor Park? Cornwall? Boy, haven’t you seen some nice places? What about Torquay, our first holiday? A lovely place with a bay and sea views right in front of us. We played tennis – in a fashion! – on the tennis courts in front of the hotel. We went to Babbacombe, where there was a miniature model village – and, oh, do you remember the caves? Stalactites and stalagmites? We also went to a monastery. I’m not sure you were with us then.
I’m sitting in the snug room. The hairs on my body are standing up as I listen to a gospel choir on television. It’s very happy and inspiring. ‘Swing long, sweet chariot. Coming for to carry me home.’ Which home? God’s home? Maybe this is what will happen in the end. The crowd in the scene went crazy.
I’m hoping that my last scene will be like that. Who knows? I might suffer loads because I’ve been bad. I’ve tried not to be, and to not hurt anyone, but when you get angry you say things that you don’t mean to hurt the person who is hurting you. Whose hurt is it then?
The holidays kept coming. Uma has been part of quite a few with us. It’s been lovely. We went to Canada; India four times with her – one with all of us, then with her friend Ingrid; then Sunil’s wedding, then Arun’s. Unless there was more… Oh, Uma went to Cos, just the two of us. We went to a live Volcano. You had to buy some trainers, as the plastic would melt in the crater. I did not go, as it was very steep and deep.
Surinder and I went to Corfu, Menorca, and lost count of trips to Spain, Tenerife, Florida twice… They have all been wonderful. Brook and San came with us to Spain. We had a great time, played games, joined in with all the activities.
It sounds quite bland, the way I have written this, but I must say being with you all individually has given me an insight into how you have all grown up, as well as your threshold for patience and kindness – and you all shine through. Put you all in the same room together, and that’s another matter! LOL
I find things get a bit hectic, and sometimes competitive. And sometimes things are said when it’s hard to hold back and not retaliate. But I was assured that this is normal in most families.
In her own words 