Saying goodbye...

I waved Sophie off to work a 8am and made myself a coffee. The morning was spent pottering about, doing the usual jobs. Outside, it was cold, and the house felt chilly, so I had a soak in the bath! That always works and warms me up!

By 12.30pm, I was back downstairs and watching The Budget on television. I am always amazed when I see Parliament in progress, and how all the parties indulge in slanging matches with each other. The Deputy Speaker kept telling people off, which was quite amusing! There was major embarrassment for Labour as the details of the Budget had been leaked before Rachel Thieves had even started... I wonder who was responsible for that!

At 1.30pm, I left to go and see Mum and Dad, popping into Mawsley on the way to pick up some chocolates. When I arrived, the door to their bedroom was closed, and Mum was sitting in the living room. She looked very sad today, and she was far more morose than last week when I visited.

We couldn't see Dad as the carers were turning him, but when they'd finished, we went in, and the room was lovely. The curtains were drawn, and a soft lamp was on, with classical music playing on the CD player. My Dad was on his side and looked very much as he did when I went to see him in hospital in early November. I could tell straightaway that he hadn't got long, so we sat and chatted and listened to the music. It was very peaceful, and my Dad looked comfortable.

I left at about 3.30pm and went home, where I sat and wrote this in the kitchen. At about 4.30pm, my mobile rang, and it was one of the carers saying that Dad was deteriorating fast, and that it might be hours until the end. Even though I was expecting it, I still felt shocked.

Ten minutes later, my mobile phone rang again, and it was Alan, one of the senior carers, who said it was just a matter of minutes, so it wasn't worth my driving over. Five minutes later, my Dad passed away, just before 5pm.

I spoke to my Mum, who seemed calm, and I said I would see her tomorrow. I was just glad that she has such a great support network at the home who will look after her in the coming weeks. I felt a bit numb, but I did shed some tears when Anna called me about what happens next, and she recommended a funeral company in Kettering.

I spoke to my Mum again a little later, and again, she seemed calm and accepting of what had happened. I made a broccoli and almond soup, and we sat and chatted at the kitchen island, reminiscing about the past and talking about the next few weeks, which will require a lot of paperwork. My main concern is Mum, and the fact that she will miss him terribly, after more than sixty years together.

My Dad in Paros, 2002

Happy days