My Birthday Celebrations (2012)
We'd got our wish to get Mum home in time for my birthday on 28 March, and Wendy had gone to great lengths to prepare a festive table for the celebratory tea. Have I ever mentioned birthdays and celebrations feature large in our family? There were Happy Birthday napkins, a Happy Birthday tablecloth and everything ready to celebrate not only Mum's homecoming, but my special day as well.
We managed to get Mum our of the chair in her bedroom and back into the wheelchair, and brought her into the dining room, sitting her at the top of the table. Wendy then disappeared to light candles on the birthday cake; a few seconds later, she bore it triumphantly in, ablaze with light. We could see how pleased and happy Mum was to be home, and to be part of the celebrations; whilst I cut the cake, she joined in singing Happy Birthday, with great gusto.
It was proving to be quite a party. We had just handed round plates for the cake, when there was a ring on the doorbell; it was the maiden visit by two lovely carers.
The first lady - petite, smiling - came up to Mum and knelt down beside her. Her first words were,
"'Ello, Darlin'! My name's Carol. It's good to see you!"
Mum beamed. "It's good to see you, too," she said.
And so began a nearly three year long relationship with a group of friendly, caring, carers. It continued until June 2015, when that particular company became unable to provide domiciliary care, but during that time, even though she could never walk properly, with help, patience and encouragement, Mum made great strides in becoming more confident in transferring from chair to glider, and glider to bed.
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