Good afternoon, ladies. So, whats the gossip today? Move aside, I want to hear the news. You wont find anything like this on the telly, I said, already in a cheerful mood. The women laughed and made space for me.
Where have you been? my aunt asked. I nipped down to the shop. Had a bit of a mishapmy wife has left me
The elderly woman gasped, Is that so, son? Shes gone to my mates place. Said Im not a proper man if I dont work anywhere.
My aunt looked shocked. But hes out of work too, isnt he? So whats the difference between the two of you?
I shook my head. I cant make sense of it either.
I made my exit, and my aunt muttered, There go the men! Nothing much to do, but hoping to live off the women. Robert what a handsome chap he once was! But after his wife and child left him, he changed entirely. And his friend? He used to own half the village! And Mary, shes a cracking cook! Well, her husband walked out, so now she lives for her children. But no, she flits from one to another, waiting for something from them. And do they give anything back?
No, not to mend a fence or whitewash the walls They compete amongst themselves. Whats happening in the village now? Back then, men would go for a stroll, but they were grafters. And now? No jobs, no families! Others leave the village, of course they do, chasing a better life.
Dont start me off, the old lady added, My children have gone far and wide. They visit once every six months. I only see my grandchildren in photos. We used to live togetherparents, childrenand everyone was happy. Singing, chatting until nightfall. Wed come together to make hay, the whole family and the neighbours. Or dig the gardenwed turn it over in a day. Stay late, then back to work the next day. Now, everyone keeps to their own farm.
Mary was passing by, carrying heavy bags, two children trailing behind her. Are you moving somewhere? her aunt asked. Mary sighed deeply.
Yes, to Michaels. How else? At least he gets a pension. And what about Robert? He doesnt do anything. I have to get my kids on their feet. Ive got no money. You cant survive on child benefit. Otherwise, Id have asked ages ago. I reckon Ill head to town come spring. Get myself a small house, no men about. Im tired of all this. Nothing gets done unless you ask. And they all want to eat. Theres nothing for me in this village. The eldest will be off to school soon. Who will take him? My daughters off to nursery. Ill find myself a job. Its a shame I have to leave. I was born and raised here. But I must go. Right then, Im off. Otherwise, Michael will be searching the village for me. Goodbye, ladies, Mary said, grabbed her things and left.
I think she was right. Marys young, still got children to bring up. Id have done the same if I were her. Now, where am I supposed to go? Its sad to leave the house. My late husband built it, thinking the children would stay with us. Once, I went out mushroom picking and got lost. Folks used to walk the footpaths, but now its all overgrown. So, Ill live out my days here. At least they bring the pension home. Time I was off, my aunt said, getting up, the farm wont wait. Got to milk the cow and feed the chickens. See you tomorrow.
The elderly woman sat alone for quite some time, remembering how shed lived, how she raised her children. The years had flown by. Only God knows how many she had left. As dusk fell, she went inside, didnt bother turning the light on, just got straight into bed. She didnt need it. Gran hadnt seen a thing in three years.
Mary never did leave the village. She stayed put. She couldnt bring herself to change her life. As long as people live there, the village survives. Many villages stand empty, though! Only old houses and the churchyard remain, visited just once a year.
Today, as I reflect, I see that life changes whether we want it or not. Yet, the strength of a community comes from those who stay and keep the memories alive. Sometimes, moving on isnt the answersometimes belonging is the greater lesson.
