New year’s eve

A streaming cold and not much energy mean I haven't seen mum for a couple of days, but we've kept in touch by phone and she's been speaking to family and friends, all of whom are a couple of hundred miles away. She's very good about phoning them all, and is still much loved by them, even though she is so far away.

I worry regularly that she should have stayed near to her relatives and friends - but then who would take her to the shops and fix the broken lightbulbs and post her letters? and who would I take to Debenhams for one of their delightful cappuccinos and a cosy chat?

My aged and frail aunt with osteoporosis phoned me yesterday to find out how my cough and cold were doing, after she had spoken to mum who said she was worried about me.

It was lovely to get a call from her as she is so frail herself and lives all alone, with few visits from her family. I told her I was fine and was working up the energy to press my ball gown and get the dancing shoes out for the Hogmanay ball.

Another happy Christmas

Another happy Christmas

Mum, hubby and me spent a relaxed and happy Christmas at home. Mum had told one of her friends she didn't want to come to us for Christmas, but I know she was worried about finding the bathroom in the middle of the night, being warm enough, not having meals that were too big, and not being in the way.

Mum came to live near me in 2004, a couple of years after my dad died, and we have had such a nice time since then learning about each other and enjoying each other's company. We have visited places and had tea, and found out where the best cappuccinos are, and the friendliest waitresses and the nicest views, and we have enriched each other's life.

I am truly a lucky daughter because after decades of being married and living a long distance from my mum, we are now back together in the same town and exploring our new-found relationship. Not many daughters get the chance to give something back to their mum when she is old and needs support. I now have the chance to do it for mum and she is so appreciative of everything I do, and I help her willingly.

It's not always plain sailing, because I am watching mum get older each day, and she needs more help as time goes on, but we are travelling this journey together. Just like when I was a little girl and she taught me to do the right thing, I am keeping mum right now, when her memory is not what it was, and she often struggles to cope with everything life throws at her.