Memorandum Monday (3 October 16)

Joining in today with the lovely Sian over at From High In The Sky and her inspiring Memorandum Monday - a chance to share something you've done for the first time at the weekend, or something new you've learnt. If you haven't called there already, do pop in. She'd love to see you, and you'll really enjoy it.

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"Do you think we could do it? Really? There and back in one day? That'd be a first." Dad's tone was doubting, but I heard the little smidgen of hope lurking behind it. We'd never attempted a day trip this length with him before because cars and long journeys when you're very elderly are A Bit Of An Ordeal. But I knew how much he missed the sea, and what it would mean to go back to the coast where he and Mum had lived for the twenty years before they came to be with us. "Of course we can", smiled Himself reassuringly and we crossed our fingers behind our backs. And get there we did ...

There was, of course, a tea-break on the way - another first, for Dad will normally insist on sitting inside. But the weather was just so glorious for October ...

"Would you like us to take you along the pier?" I asked. "We'll be halfway to Ireland if you do!" retorted Dad. Resplendent with Victorian and Edwardian elegance, it's 2995 feet long, and we've never walked its full length. But, with Dad in the folding wheelchair when he got tired, we did ...

"Alice in Wonderland", said Dad, suddenly. "What's his name?" Memory is a little shaky these days. I thought for a moment. "Lewis Carroll?". "That's right", he affirmed. "Alice Liddell stayed here as a little girl. I think there are some statues somewhere ...". And five minutes later we passed the Mad Hatter clutching his teapot - our fourth first of the day.

But we couldn't go home without crossing to the western shore, so that Dad could enjoy again the place where he and Mum loved to sit with a flask of tea ...

And this first was a poignant one: he was just too weary to leave the car ... But we reminisced, looking at the sea and mountains beyond, and (in time-honoured fashion) took a little pebble home. Not long before bedtime as we had a light supper by the fire, my brother rang."How was the day, Dad?" he asked. Dad paused for a moment. "It was a brilliant day", he said. "Is that brilliant as in sunny, or brilliant as in good? my brother enquired. Dad reached for another of his favourite date-and-apple sandwiches. "Oh", he said, smiling "Both!" Himself and I looked at each other and breathed a quiet sigh of relief and satisfaction. Happy ninety-third birthday, Dad :).

Comments

[Mary-Lou]

Birthday wishes to your Dad - 93 years old - well done. This was probably the best birthday gift you could have given him. There is something wonderful about the sea - the water, the air, the smells. Lovely photos.

[alexandra sirugue-macleod]

Happy Birthday // Joyeux Anniversaire to Your Lovely Dad!
Your post is both beautiful and very moving.
My Dad would have been 82 on Thursday.
Hugs~

[Julie]

So moving Alexa. Your whole adventure sounds full of optimism and hope and a willingness to make the day the best one possible. I'm so pleased it paid off for you all. xx

[Sian]

Ach, this is just lovely! It has managed to put a smile not just on the face of the birthday boy, but on mine (and everyone else who reads) too. A tonic of a post: as good as that sea air!

[Mary]

that was a brilliant day! happy 93rd birthday to your dad!!

[Ruth]

How wonderful ... for Dad, Himself and you! And how fortunate that the weather decided to play along. I'm also now trying to work out exactly where it is you went to ...

[Barbara Eads]

This post brought a tear to my eye for sure! It was so special to make that trip for your dad. What a nice thing to do for him. I'm sure he appreciated reminiscing and sharing some stories with you. AND you got a FIRST out of it!

[SueTR]

So beautiful. What a lovely day, I'm going to call my dad right now! xo

[Karen Walker]

What a fabulous birthday gift you gave him! And it looks like you had quite a lovely time as well. Happy 93rd birthday! Quite an accomplishment in itself. Neither of my parents made it anywhere close to that age.

[Melissa Gross]

OH, what a lovely day! I'm so glad it was a brilliant birthday as y'all made his birthday special!

[helena]

and a brilliant re-telling of your brilliant day - so full of positive spirit and the delight of family

[Honoré]

What an absolutely wonderful day to celebrate your Dad's 93rd birthday! He looks great and clearly, he had a memorable outing. The photos are lovley, lovely. Happy 93 to your dad and thanks for sharing your outing. A lovely day!
Cheers~

[Missus Wookie]

Oh this is lovely.

I had a phone call with another 93rd birthday Ffriend recently who rang me to tell me this was her present to herself - to ring through her Christmas card list and chat to us all. So glad it was a good day for you all.

[Jane]

My mother who is 93yrs grew up by the sea and has always had a great love for it so I know just how special that day was x

[Susanne]

Brilliant, indeed. Firsts with ties to "like befores" are brilliant.

[Maggie]

What beautiful photos and this story brought a little tear to my eye.

[Cheri Andrews]

What an absolutely beautiful way to celebrate your Dad's 93rd birthday! I'm so glad he was able to enjoy most of it and was happy and content at the end of the day.