Kathleen

KATHLEEN

What are your thoughts as you sit in your chair by the window, looking
out at your lovely flowering garden that you had created over the
years.

Your beautiful face, your green eyes give away the pain that you feel
in your heart.

You had some wonderful memories. Chatting over cups of tea, telling me
of some of the best times of your life, handsome young men taking you
dancing, treating you like a lady. You were happy then!

.
Are you thinking about your family - the years took their toll, as you
bought up your children. Struggling, labouring day after day to buy
their food. Devoting your life to your children, you taught them to
survive within this harsh reality of life.

Your once happy marriage now devoid of love, only solitude existed.
Waiting every evening - after closing time - sound of hesitant
footsteps, violent arguments, and drunken intercourse.

You were unselfish, forgiving and patient. Living in poverty,
instructing us in godliness.

Only in those last few months we had together did I begin to understand
the meaning of all you had tried to teach me. Knowing this gave me a
huge responsibility to bring up my children in a loving, stable
relationship.

Trying so hard, understanding all that you had suffered over the
years. You neglected your own health for the sake of us.

You were so brave in those last few months, I tried to reach out, but
you pushed me aside trying to spare my feelings. We were both a little
hesitant - a lifetime of restraint - having difficulty speaking about
emotions that we couldn't relate to, long silences forcing us apart
made us unable to reach out and open our hearts.

It was only then as we embrace for the last time, I know how much I
honestly love you, and walking away, couldn't stop the tears from
falling.

I can never stop thinking about the person who gave me life. I owe you
much more than I could ever repay - my lovely mum.

Memories of Kathleen. 30th April 1920 - 30th April 1991.