Now everybody knows they have the best Mum in the world but folks mine is simply the best no competition. Like my eldest nephew confidently said about his Dad "Dont worry Dad will fix it" on his balloon bursting,there is nothing my Mum cant mend from a hungry tum to a blown fuse to a broken heart.
The first words from her that I can remember are "I love you" "You can do it" "Never mind say sorry & thats it"
I think those words summon up her whole character.She is loving,kind,forgiving,compassionate & thinks the sun shines from our collective backsides.We say that Mum could find something nice to say about Hitler.This has given her children the ability to look for the best in others & where this has been misplaced the ability to forgive & forget.
She was the eldest daughter in her family.There was almost two families with a gap of eight years between the first three then the birth of three more within three years of each other. Her Mother suffered during the latter three births from Hypertension which in turn led to Renal Failure,Stroke & eventually her early Death.
Mum was so thrilled to have a baby sister & then two more wee brothers.
When Granny Peggy was going into hospital to have her last child- a rare event in those days she told my Mum that she might have to be "Mum" to Jennifer.A fact that was later revealed to my Aunt who felt bitterly hurt & rejected by her Mother.It is only on a Family Holiday to Utah(God Bless Talk Radio for providing the prize which enabled me to take my Mum there.) that we talked of these things & my Mum was able to explain that Granny was so ill that she thought she wouldnt make it through her confinement & not that a new baby so soon after the other two would take up all her time & Mum would need to be her surrogate.Lets explain things to our families!!
She told me of her evacuation during the War & her many adventures in Blairmore.How her Mother missed the boat back to Greenock/Gourock & eventually was given a lift with two other Mums going back to Dalmuir one of which was my other Granny who was visiting my Dad(this granny would eventually marry my Grandpa Jimmy.)They were so cold & hungry that they ate raw sausages & bread that one had been able to obtain on the ration.My Grandpa was waiting for the last Tram as it loomed up in the Blackout- the husbands of the other two were safely tucked up in bed. She told my Mum it was like being on Honeymoon as he had lit a fire in the bedroom,took of her stockings,dried her feet tucked her up with a hot water bottle & hot soup.He had thought she was keeping good her promise not to return without the children as she couldnt live without them any longer.Mum & brothers returned the next week.
She told me of the Clydebank Blitz- when she,her seven year old brother,Mother & six weeks old Jennifer cowered in their shelter as the bombs dropped.Grandpa & Uncle Tommy(14) were busy shifting incendaries from neighbours houses & watching Clydebank burn.
The morning off their eventual departure from Laurel Avenue my Grandpa went to check on his siblings safety & to work out a safe route where his family wouldnt see too many of the numerous corpses laid out & otherwise on the street.My Uncle Tommy in typical teenage style was off looking at the same corpses & searching for shrapnel & other treasure.
My Mother told me she was never afraid as her Parents shielded them from the horrors.She also told me of her delight when the all-clear was given after midnight this meant no school the next day-before midnight school as usual.
My Mum is a clever person & was made "Head Girl" in Blantyre,running errands into Hamilton for the teachers & supervising the wee ones- she wasna a sook mind just very gentle,kind & patience as she still is.
Granny had another confinement when evacuated to Blantyre & Jennifer
was around 18 months & did not take kindly to this intruder & would lob things into the bed like potatoes etc.Mum felt her place was at home to help & left school temporarily at 13 to help out.Grandpa still travelled to Babcoxs in Renfrew every day even in the blackout.
My Mother loved her siblings with true devotion.She would spend her time,money &love on them.In fact she missed them so much on her honeymoon that my Dad sent a telegram inviting them to spend the second week with them-luckily my Granny had more sense & the children stayed at home.
When her Mother died my Mum thought she & the family couldnt last without her.She & Dad moved into Laurel Ave. to help my Grandpa care for the children who were now approaching or had reached their teens.
My Mum would have been very happy to stop at her three girls but my Dad loved children especially babies & talked her into"One more go for a Boy"
As she lay in hospital with my brother at her side she said to Dad"Well Ian youve got your boy"
Dads reply"Id just have been as happy with another girl"
He loved his "wee bonus" my youngest brother who was born five years after my other brother.
My Mum would do the decorating during the night so we wouldnt disturb her.She could mend a fuse,fix a leaking tap,sew,knit,garden bake& cook to perfection.If you told her something it will never be repeated-when I have confided things in her it is only if another person tells me they have too that I discover she already knows.
She taught me to pray & to believe in my Heavenly Father.She taught me to think before I speak(Im still trying) I know that if the Doctors said one of your children needs your heart it would be given without a moments hesitation.What confidence(arrogance?)that gives to a child to be so loved.
My Mothers love is the type with wings she never held us back -even now when we phone she always ends with "I am so proud of you & love you lots"
She would work outside the home on occasions when we were young but only until she had the money for whatever-a fridge,allowing my sister to go to College.When she was widowed she went work full-time but gave it upwhen she realised she was needed at home.She eventually did return to work& worked full-time until being made reduntant.The second Grandchild was on her way.She has always been to stretch the money in ways I cant even imagine
She has been a wonderful Granny to her 9 granchildren & 2 1/2 great grandchildren.
She is young at heart still looks fabulous & despite numerous health problems tries to do as much for us as possible.
She is proud of her Family History & I caught the bug from her.She is the one I shriek my latest success story down the phone to.She should be running the World.She could do it too because there is not much she cant do.
