In life we have job titles. A nurse or office worker. You may be a baker or courier driver.
But the roles that we have that are greatest of the lot, are the ones that aren’t paid, the best ones we’ve got.
So, let’s talk about Carol. Here’s what we’re here to do. We should talk about Carol, my mum and friend too.
Let’s talk about Carol, she belonged to us all. Let’s relive those memories, the big and the small.
She was a daughter, to Irene and Jim. Sister to Janet, and David, a twin.
Daughter in law to Joyce and to Stan. Sister In law to Lesley and Sally, that’s the clan!
Most of all, she was a wife to Barry you know. Mother to Joanne and Lee, see the family grow.
Mother in law to Mark and to Clare. The love that she had, the love she would share.
Marriage to Barry, in nineteen seventy. Barking Registry office, family, friends presently.
All stood together and watched the two say, I do, yes I do, on their wedding day.
She would talk of her wedding quite frequently. How lovely the meal was, sitting down at Nans Pantry.
How she loved the evening at 2, Sterry Road.with Dad playing guitar, how the Beatles songs flowed.
All through her life, there are memories to save. There were Saturday dinners, with Lesley and Dave.
She loved entertaining, cooking for everyone.Washing the dishes, it had to be done.
Friends loved her cooking, be it dinner or cakes. Greens sponge mixes, thats what she used to make.
Eating too much on our camping trips. Hartley’s tin potatoes , laughed at that for some years.
Camera club Thursdays with all of her friends. SeaBrooke Hall they would meet, the evening they’d spend.
Looking at pictures and talking aloud of her husbands photos, she was incredibly proud.
Holidays plenty, when Lee and I were kids. Away in the tent, nothing fancy or big.
About quality time that we had there together. Camping away in all kinds of weather.
Holiday in Wales, stopped in a lay by. Getting out the picnic for all there to try.
Mum and Elaine surrounded by sheep. Nudging them over to get their own feed.
Being there for the children, a stay at home mum. Something my dad suggested she should become.
There when we woke and saw us off to school. There for every moment. How precious. A jewel!
Meals with two couples, dad and mum made it six. Met up regularly, what would be cooked? Couldn’t predict.
Meals carried on until mum and dad left UK, almost 50 years, an achievement I’d say.
Out with friends and her husband to a steam fair one day. Carol in charge of the directions, for she knew which way.
Wrong address in the sat nav, they were all miles off course. . Watching policemen sent them straight to the source.
Meeting Australian family in a London restaurant. Everyone having Italian , but what did mum want?
Mum said chops and veg. When someone asked why, she said I’m English you know , its only English food I try!
When I got married, nineteen ninety four, she and I dressed together, before the walk out the door.
Stood with me in photos, mother of the bride. Proud of Mark and of me, that she could never hide.
Moving to Australia always her dream. Sixteen thousand kilometres across land and sea.
Settled In Buderim, on the Sunshine Coast. As it was the place that she loved the most.
Sharing her dream with Clare and with Lee. Every time they visited, they come to see.
The life that she loved, the life she had made. . They’ve been back many times, just wish they could have stayed.
Meals out together, Clare, Lee, Dad and Mum. Joined by Joanne and Mark. What a team we’d become.
Sharing the laughs. Making stories to tell. Laughing til we cried, knew each other so well.
Shopping with mum, so many moments we had. I smile at the memories, of those I am glad.
Laughing so hard, sharing secrets together. Mother and daughter, what could be better?
I’ll end this as her daughter, end this as her friend. Her life was never boring, right through to the end.
I have many memories, they never will fade. My mum, friend and comrade, the life that you made.
