h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

After years of watching my Mother's health and personality deteriorate as Alzheimers progressed and complications reduced her quality of life to zero, she finally gave up fighting on Wednesday morning. At the end, one of my old school friends who knew her very well just happened to be the nurse on her ward, a small world coincidence that nevertheless pleased us all.

I hope it doesn't sound cold or callous, but my major emotion on hearing the news was relief - for her, for my sister and for me. I'll miss her of course, but we've grieved gradually over the years for the loss of her warm and generous nature, her humour and her voice, as her normally constant stream of chat dwindled to nothing more than cries of fear and pain.

I will remember her when I sing her favourite songs, when I smell the roses that were always her favourite, when I read the poems she read to me as a child and when I enjoy the simple pleasures of being in the countryside - hearing the birds sing, rivers flow and wind blowing through the trees.

Sure, we didn't always see eye to eye and I'm ashamed of some of the things I shouted at her when I was young but isn't that family for you after all. She lived her life for her family and without her I wouldn't be who I am, I hope she would always be proud of the daughters that she raised.

Rest easy now Mother, there's nothing more to say.

How are you doing, a year on? I know the pain of anniversaries well.

Have a big from me, and thank you for being a wonderful daughter which I am sure your Mum appreciated even when she couldn't say so.

GB

Thanks GB I'm doing OK,I think. I was kept busy with gigging and attending a beer & cider festival on the anniversary itself but as you know, the date brought back memories all the same but I try to remember the good times rather than her last couple of years.