From Left to Right (As we see them) Lillian, Sylvia’s Daughter and Husband, Me and Kathleen.
Lily Bobtail, Mason and Calum
Was I too ambitious and too early in arranging our first get together after lock-down?
We did meet, however, and it was a joy for even us Residents to actually meet and exchange experiences which we hadn’t been able to do for over 18 months. We were short of 4 of our original 11 because Barbara had left Lark Hill 3 Months ago. She had found that she was unable to look after her sick husband adequately and they had both retired to a Care Home. Victor sent his apologies and many thanks to Fred for organising a nice ring of chairs for us in the Rotunda, although he was unable to attend, which left only Pauline, Kathleen, Beryl, Lillian (After an energetic game of Table Tennis!), and myself in attendance. It was good that Sylvia’s Daughter and Husband came too as they too had never lost interest in the scheme.
Unfortunately, and this is where I had miscalculated, only three children were able to attend. Phoenix had Covid related problems at the last minute, and all the others sent apologies because they were involved in extra curriculum activities related to their new school. Four Parents had been able to turn up and discussions could have lasted much longer had they not other commitments to attend to. What a delight to see the change in Mason, Calum and Lily Bobtail, and to see how comparatively grown up they seemed.
I was trying hard to hide my disappointment and wondering where to go from here, when Mason’s Mum, bless her, came up with an idea. She is going to contact all the Parents and ask them what commitments the Children have and when might be a better time or day to meet. So there is a silver lining and I am sure that we all look forward to finding that solution.
Meanwhile, it is time for me to contact our management about when to start negotiations to organise regular meeting with the various Creches for those Residents who were not fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the original 10. Something Emma, our Manager, had promised before the intervention of this awful epidemic
We look forward to exciting new times.