I whisper back to my darling mother

October 4th, 2012

 

Dorothy Emily Grace

 

February 16th, 1902 - October 4th, 1957

 



The past cannot be forgotten while memory lasts

and love preserves.

Janette Hospital

 

 

I quote from Julian Fellowes

 

"One of the strangest parts of growing older being that

ever-increasing Team of the Dead, who stand behind your shoulder

 and take it in turns to jump in and out of your head. 

A picture, a shop, a street, a clock that someone gave you,

an ornament that came from this dead aunt

or a chair from that dead uncle,

and suddenly for a second they're alive again,

whispering into your ear. 

There is a religion somewhere in the world

 that believes we all die twice;

once in the normal way

and the second time

when the last person who really knew us dies,

so one's living memory is gone from the earth".

 

And so I keep my mother's living memory vibrant,

full of the grace and courage and love

that sustained her.