My Mum's Birthday.....

Today is my Mother's 96th birthday, on Sunday the family had a get together to celebrate.

This photo of her was taken on Sunday.

I am sure if you asked her the secret for long life, she would say she didn't know.  However,  I suspect not being afraid of hard work would be one of the reasons.  Her Mother died during the birth of her younger brother, so in her very early years she helped in the home for her Father and two brothers.   At the age of 14 years she was "in service" as a downstairs maid.  Later, married a farmer and everyone knows that is a labour intensive occupation, especially in England during the 1940's and '50's.  During WW11 both her and my Dad were foster parents to two boys evacuated from London.  She was also Red Cross nurse.   Starting out from scratch again in '54 when my family immigrated to Canada.   Even now, she lives in her own little house in the country, doing the daily chores on her own, grant you they are not done to the standards she used to do, but they are done just the same.  Every day she cooks her main meal, which always includes a meat, potato and possibly two veg and most days a dessert of  some kind.

Being  neat and tidy and personal cleanliness are all important to her. 

She still smokes!!! and likes a little "nip" once in awhile.  Her mind  is as sharp as a tack, and remembers everyone's birthday date.  Always ready for a good laugh.

She has had a heart attack and is a cancer survivor.  Other than having an elevated blood pressure, relying on diet to keep her diabetes under control and "Arthur" creeping into her left knee, she is healthy.  

Mother of two, Grand Mother of seven, Great Grand Mother of 13, Great Great Grand Mother of five, and friends to many.

Happy Birthday MUM.


Patricia