Sunday Sauce on Helens Birthday
Allen
I don't usually tell you a lot about Helen, she is my step daughter.
Today is her 29th birthday, well the repeat of it a number of times on.
Last year she and I were sat at Grannie Annies side in her final hours.
Which is one of the reasons I love her, it's not always been easy to
love her but I think I must tell you that I really do.
She was at high school when I first met her, the fiery temper bubbling
in her teenage mind. She had told Annjean that I would make a nice
Santa, her mum agreed with the sentiment so we got together in a
partnership of devotion.
H ( as we call her in the family), was consulted as we bought a labrador
dog. We had seen the sign on our village lane, 'Red Labs'. Now we knew
of Black and Yellow, Chocolate another shade of fur but never 'Red' So
we called in to check.
The sign had been written by one of Annjeans pupils, it should have just
said ' Ped Labs' we chuckled as the 12 week mutt in deepest black
checked us our with a well wetted nose. Half price said the owner ! He's
the runt of the litter, thirteen years of him as a seven stone runt
changed our mind. I'll walk him every night said H, the resolve lasted
almost a week.
I'll pay with my 20 pence pieces, said Jeanie, fingers crossed to make
it enough. I counted them out and it came to just right. ( Well a cheque
for £40 helped too). His birthday was just a month after Helens and he
was feted as much as any human ever is.
She walked him down the village, meetings with 'Dazza', 'Porkie' and
Jezz being the reason for her altruism, in her way she loved Sam his
name chosen by a politically incorrect Grannie Annie from 'Little Black
Sambo'.
The day before Annjean died Helen and Robin had come full of joy to tell
of a wedding brought forward and nearer, only a fortnight to go.
Unknown to them the surgeon had told us as they arrived that hours alone
were available to us now. We discussed the situation AJB and I, you can
tell them when I can't stop you she said. Pam and the children had come
at that time, the surgeon backing Jeans play told the visitors that he
would move heaven and earth to get her to the wedding.
You know I believe he tried to do it.
Leaving H and Robin to deliver the important news, tales of special
licences and hastily booked vicars we others went to the Burger King
Restaurant in the Hospital. As we went I explained to James, Laura and
Elizabeth that sometimes doctors ran out of ideas and then a greater
healer took on the task. I told of how he took loved ones to be with him
and of how in the fullness of time we would meet again.
We returned to the ward, H and Robin left us and after a few minutes I
walked Pam to the door, 'There won't be a wedding for Jean, will there
dad. ' I muttered something about not being daft.
Then at four in the morning I judged it time to break Grannie Annies
silence and phone calls summoned her family from the homes around the
country. The family hastened to be at her side. It wasn't mean, it was
to save them worry that Jeanbean wanted it left to the last.
There was a consensus that H and I should stay while the others took
children home, and call if anything changed, we held hands across the
bed and as Annjean slipped away we said a prayer.
So you know why I can forgive H anything, she's a part of the person I
loved unto eternity.
We had such happy times Grannie Annie and I, I live them time and again.
She walks with Mac and I down the Magic Path, we laugh together as he
chases his tail. Perhaps you would like to call and see this lovely
place, you will be welcomed if you do.
Organic bacon sandwiches today, fresh orange to wash it down.
Then a walk with the happy hound, to see the new clothes on the branches
of the Blackthorn and Hawthorn, the warm sun washing over us and a
memory in every step.
Happy Birthday Helen
Illustrated Sauce @ http://www.outlane.com/page205.htm or
http://www.age-net.co.uk a site for silversurfing.
Got to go
See you next week.
--
Allen
Before posting proofread carefully to see if you any words out.