When
The Queen visited Wales Mum took me to see her. A small child, all I remember were
crowds of people in a field and Her Majesty waving from a huge black car. Very
exciting, though! And over the years there were news reports watched by the
family, Mum collecting ‘Special edition’ newspapers filled with photographs of Royal
occasions. And of course, Christmas Dinner revolved around The Queen’s Address.
But the most poignant memory for me happened on Mum and Dad’s Platinum Wedding
Anniversary.
On
the whole, it had been a happy day. There were banners, balloons, flowers and
cards, and celebrating people. There was cake to be shared. There were smiles
on faces. It’s not every day, we all agreed, that a couple gets to reach the
milestone of a 70 year marriage.
But,
it has to be said, some of the smiles were a little forced. Some of the jollity
a tad brittle. The banners and floral tributes were decking a bedroom, not
sitting room. And apart from close family the rest of the ‘guests’ came and
went and came back later. And one half of the couple did not know, as far as I
could make out, what all the razzmatazz was about.
My
mother, in the seventh year of dementia, scarcely knew who I was, let alone that it was her special anniversary. And the other
visitors were caring for my mother’s physical needs. They came, double-handed, and
carried out their duties – though they did add cheer to the proceedings. My
father, appeared to be, though, truly happy. He still had his beloved wife at
this side, and that was all that mattered.
The
postman had, that morning, brought a special envelope from Buckingham Palace. A
card from the Queen afforded the royal treatment (the Post Office upon receipt
had to contact the Palace, and upon delivery had to convey that information to
the Palace). A decade before, on my parent’s Diamond Anniversary Mum had opened
the front door to the postman, as my father and I had sneakily peeped out of a
room to watch. When she opened the envelope Mum was overjoyed to have the card
signed Elizabeth R, by Her Majesty. That day there was a party, with buffet and
dancing and real celebration.
This
time my father opened the door to the postman – who presumed the card was for a
Diamond anniversary. Learning the fact of the Platinum one, he was amazed. That
tickled Dad. He showed Mum the card. But
she gave no sign of understanding its significance. The card bearing a photograph
of a beaming Queen Elizabeth, was given pride of place beside the best bouquet.
We all referred to it from time to time. But Mum had no reaction to it.
The
day wore on and eventually was coming to a close. We had all done our best to
make this Platinum Anniversary special. After washing up I went in to say
goodnight to Mum. Then it happened… With a big beaming smile Mum made a big announcement.
“The Queen came to visit me!” Taken aback I muttered, “Oh, did she Mum? How
lovely.” Mum answered, blue eyes twinkling, “Yes, The Queen visited me.” Radiant
with joy she added, “We had a lovely chat!” When I relayed this to Dad he was
thrilled. Mum had, indeed, understood at least some of what had happened that
day. And, though deep in dementia, had felt special, happy and blessed by the ‘visit’
of Queen Elizabeth II who had long had a place in her heart...
Mum and Dad, united now in Heaven, have an opportunity to see their, our, beloved Queen Elizabeth who has gone, like them, to join the angels... May they all rest in peace until we meet in Heaven.
God bless
Teresa
