Thursday, 15 September 2022

Mum and the Queen

 


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 

Here is the cover of my upcoming book to be published internationally on 30th September by Circle Books. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pray-Then-Listen-heart-heart/dp/1789043697/ref=sr_1_3?crid=29KKTA0E2LL2O&keywords=teresa+o%27driscoll&qid=1659363438&sprefix=%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-3

Click on the link for more info and pre-orders...

For more info on my work please visit my new website: https://www.teresaodriscoll.co.uk/

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My debut novel, Angel at the Paradise Hotel,  Christian fiction - Holidays-romance-suspense - is set in Corfu and features characters from Wales, America and Ireland. Find all the details here.  

 

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