Memories (300 Words)
By Jane Scoggins
I am drinking tea with my dad. Someone I
have looked up to all my life. An engineer, he had a workshop in the garden where he made, repaired and sometimes invented things. If
he was using sharp tools my sister Karen and I would stand at the open door to
watch. He would describe what he was making. I learned a lot. He would sing
silly songs and tell jokes as we stood watching. He was entertaining and fun.
When I was very small he made a box on wheels that he attached to his bicycle
so I could accompany him on rides down country lanes. He would tell me the
names of trees and birds as we went. Later he made us a tree house
with a little ladder and a basket on a rope so we could haul a picnic
up to the platform. At the seaside he created such wonderful intricate
sand castles all the children nearby would come and watch and admire. I was so
proud to have such a clever dad. He helped with school homework, giving me
confidence. Just like him I loved to learn. He and Mum proudly drove me to Uni
and I was thrilled to be going.
When mum got cancer, dad took early
retirement and saw her through successful treatment. At dad’s suggestion they
celebrated by travelling through
‘How long will your mum be do you think, is she shopping?’ he asks.
Mum’s cancer returned. She died four years ago. Dad is 73, a clever man, diagnosed with Alzheimers two years ago. He is in rapid decline now and gets distressed if we tell him his beloved wife has died. He goes out looking for her. It's heartbreaking.
Copyright Jane Scoggins
A heartrending story, with more than a ring of truth. But, it is just a story... Isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWell written, as always.
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