This is a lovely photo of my Mum, Nell, taken on her 91st birthday, and how I like to remember her, wearing one of her beautiful woollen handspun, handknitted jumpers. She suffered little strokes and became increasingly frailer this year and passed away on 7th July 2010, 6 weeks before her 92nd birthday. I couldn't wish her back to continue suffering, but it does mean the end of many family links for me, now I don't have anyone to talk with about the memories of my childhood. For over 60 years she's been in my life, she lived with us at Silver Creek for 23 years, and it's strange that she's not here any more. I still have an Aunty, Mum's younger sister, but it's also a wake up that I'm now the 'older generation' and that's not comfortable.
Mum admired people who made it to 90, she especially admired those who were able to continue being active. I'm delighted for her that she reached and passed that milestone, and continued to be active until her last 6 months. I think it speaks for itself that there were over 70 people at her funeral in our small town on a wet winter's day, and 68 were friends. We have very few family of our own, but do have wonderful in-laws, however I appreciated so much that so many good, caring friends came. If you were one of them, thank you.
Goodbye Mum, you'll be so very sadly missed, and so will all your beautiful and perfect crafting.
