Patricia Parker (17 Feb 1929 - 8 Feb 2015)

Hope you are watching over us xxxx

Bought some daffodils for you yesterday xxx

You accompanied us up to Durham where we chose a beautiful woodland area shaded from the direct sunlight. We shared wonderful memories from Finchale Abbey after playing 'hide n seek' amongst the ruins and eating one of Dawn's infamous picnics! Your office at the DNS hasn't changed at all but a big posh hotel has been built beside it. However, I will always remember being chased up the High Street by Dave in a police car with his lights and sirens on and you laughing your socks off beside me. You were one in a million Mum and I miss you every day. I love you xxx

It's a strange memory to have I suppose and yet it's a memory that keeps popping into my mind at random times.

I used to go stay with nan in Tewkesbury, when I was a younger, maybe 12/13, she'd drive me that mad little mini to the charity shop she managed, and I would work with her and watch her, nan was so graceful to watch like she was always secretly dancing for someone, and so elegant in every action and person she spoke to. She'd plait my hair and we would do crosswords while she shared her memories and pearls of wisdom. It was when she still smoked and at 5pm, she would stop everything and pour a stiff GnT and light a cigarette....Wonder why I have a penchant for the same thing!?

Remember Puddy...what a cats life to have! Puddy was nan's little man and literally the Prince of Sheba! Nan and I had sat down to eat one night and the doorbell went, so nan left to answer and in the meantime Puddy jumped up and helped himself to nan's food and I just sat and watched, I didn't stop him and I remember thinking nan would be really happy that I let him share her food... Obviously she wasn't, but she wasn't angry either and just took her plate into the kitchen, came back and explained that you can't do that, never once making me feel bad. I guess that's what nan did a lot for me; taught me and loved me.

I think of you every day xx

I remember that she told me she only eats dry toast or a cracker for breakfast. Just before she sat and demolished a man sized full english.
I remember she told me not to bother calling her 'mum' when paul and i married lol.
I remember she told me she doesn't drink, after having four very large gin and tonics (medicinal obviously).
I remember her being caught short and having to squat for a wee in the pouring rain behind rick steins fishery in padstow.
And i rember that she forged a suprising relationship with luke, for which I will always be grateful.

Trish, you were forthright in your opinions, sarcasm, witt and judgement, but you were also generous of spirit, loving, fiercly loyal and had a great (dark) sense of humour. You produced three wonderful children, one of whom I have the pleasure of sharing my life with. It was a pleasure to have known you.
Know that you were loved.
Dawn. X

Your Mother Is Always With You

by Unknown Author

Your mother is always with you...

She's the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of bleach in
your freshly laundered socks.

She's the cool hand on your
brow when you're not well.

Your mother lives inside
your laughter. She's crystallized
in every tear drop...

She's the place you came from,
your first home.. She's the map you
follow with every step that you take.

She's your first love and your first heart
break....and nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, Not space...
Not even death....
will ever separate you
from your mother....

You carry her inside of you....

Any ideas why I used to call Nan...nanny off the bus? Is it because of London maybe? I still said this well in to my teens :)

This Blessing is to celebrate Mum's life. We have kept it simple and thoughtful. You will be entering the Chapel to "Morning has Broken" and leaving it to "Mama" by El Divo. Whilst we are all thinking about Mum Frank Sinatra will be singing to us. Every Spring Mum bought me a bunch of the first daffodils so it is my turn to buy her the first Spring bunch which I will lay next to her. Mum was told that if she surrounded herself in yellow she would be happy, so I am not wearing black, but some touch of yellow. I thought it would be nice for us to say something to Mum in a card which can also be placed next to her. Jason (Funeralcare) is then going to bless Mum as she leaves. We are then coming back to her home for her favourite treat: Fish, chips and mushy peas!

A family of five and a black poodle in a mini on a European camping holiday in Europe! Pulling over to rest and then finding that we had 'put up tent' on the side of the automat!