On this day 36 years ago my life changed irrevocably. I became alone in the world. Without warning my mother had a
severe stroke and a few hours later the machine that was keeping her body alive was turned off. Meanwhile at home, my terminally ill father
who’s mind had long ago left his body had no idea that his wife and carer for so many hard years had left this mortal coil. Later in the
afternoon he was taken to hospital and after pulling many strings I had him admitted into a fine nursing home to live out his last few years
oblivious of this harsh new reality. Call me cruel for those actions but first think hard about it.
I have now been alone for so long. No brothers, sisters, cousins, no one at all and a failed marriage but fortunately no children.For those of you that have “family” cherish every moment. If you don’t speak or even acknowledge a relation for whatever reason, they are still there. They are still on this planet and deep down in your subconscious th0e link is not broken. Take a moment to reflect on the Christmases,
birthdays and those many events that give the word “family” real meaning. Whether it’s good or bad believe me, the alternative is an
emptiness that in time makes you sour to so many things, believe me, I know.
I didn’t write this for sympathy. I didn’t write this to cry “why me?” I wrote this to remind you to take a moment to think about your respective
families, of who you have in your life and how they may have helped to shape you into the wonderful people you are.
