Moving Mother

Last weekend we moved mother from her three bedroomed house to an elderly person's bungalow in Stonehouse. She had lived in her house for 45 years and I and my brothers had all seen part of our childhood or early teens in it. It must have been a huge wrench to leave her house and her friends but it became inevitable when father died and she could no longer climb the stairs or look after the house or garden.

The move was accomplished with help from Jon, Val, Clare and Chris (who came down from Loughton to help). It was a long, hard weekend as there was quite a bit of work to do on the bungalow to make it habitable. However, by the time mother moved in it was looking very cosy and she appeared happy enough - though it's always difficult to tell since she is not blessed with a wide range of emotions!

We now have to hope that she will communicate and socialise with her neighbours and form a new circle of friends - not easy at 82 it has to be said. She will also expect and require frequent visits as both Jon and I are now within easy reach - overall though life will be easier for all concerned.