As long as one has breath, it is never too late. A Recollection
Well then, Mum, just as we agreedIll come around for you tomorrow and take you there. Im sure youll absolutely love it, Benjamin said, bustling about as he hurriedly dressed and shut the front door behind him.
Anne Bartlett sank onto the settee, wearied. After much persuasion, she had consented to the trip. Her neighbours exclaimed in admiration:
Your Ben is such a caring sonsending you off for a bit of a holiday, again! You are lucky indeed.
Yet, doubt tugged at Annes heart. Oh well, all would be revealed on the morrow.
Benjamin arrived early the next morning. He quickly fetched his mothers suitcases, settled her into the car, and off they went.
Some people have it all, the neighbours remarked, seated on their garden bench. Her son hires help, sends her away to posh places, while we just get on with things as they are.
The residence was just outside town.
Mum, its almost five stars, Benjamin said, glancing at her with hopeful eyes as they arrived.
As soon as Anne stepped onto the groundswhere only those of a certain age sat on garden benchesher doubts suddenly felt well-founded.
But she didnt let it show; she had always prided herself on composure.
Their eyes met, and instantly Benjamin looked away, no doubt realising shed understood what this really was.
Mum, theyve doctors here, and all sorts of activities, and youll meet new friends. Just give it three weeks, to start with. If youd rather not stay Benjamin stumbled over his words, not meeting her gaze. Anne replied simply:
Go on, son. And pleasedont call me Mum the way you used to as a boy; just Mother will do, all right?
He nodded, relieved, kissed her cheek, and left.
Anne was offered a choiceher own room or to share. She chose to share, unwilling to be alone with her thoughts.
Welcome, dear, came a polished, velvet-soft voice from the setteea grand lady indeed. At last I have company. Im Marianne Lawson.
Introductions were made.
The suite was truly five stars; her son had done this well. A shared drawing room and two bedrooms, each with its own washroom.
Marianne Lawson was a wealthy, solitary woman of ninety-one years:
I do get tired, darling. Its nice to be looked after. I let out my flat in Mayfair and choose to live herelovely staff, good doctors, not a care in the world. Lots of creative activities. My nephew gets my flat eventually, and in the autumn he takes me to the south coast for the sea air. And what about you, my dear? You seem rather too young for this place.
Anne Bartlett gave a wry smile. But she felt the urge to confide:
Oh, Im not here entirely by choice, if Im honest. My son and his wife have their own place now. We never quite got on.
My flats a good size, too. But as soon as they could, they bought their own home and moved out. Perhaps thats for the best; my daughter-in-law Lucy and Iwell, we didnt see eye to eye. Ben was always caught between us. I wished hed stand by me, his mother. Foolish, really.
For a while, once they left, things improved. Ben and Lucy and their daughter would visit regularly. And yet once again I found fault.
Its my own doing, really.
After a while, it felt as though theyd all forgotten me. I began inventing ailments, pretended to be more feeble than I wasthinking it might mean theyd visit more often. But Ben took another view. Perhaps he was worried Lucy and I would fall out again, or he was so busy at work.
It was all about me, I see that now.
Eventually, Ben found her a companion. Then another. But none of them ever seemed quite right. Anne simply wanted her familys attention, but ended up here instead.
Her dear granddaughter Alice had gone to university in another city. She called often:
Gran, Ill visit soon. Im doing well. How about you?
Im well, love, Anne would reply.
Dont be lonely, Gran. Ill be home soon. Alice truly did care for her.
It was all her own fault.
Anne had even told Ben she was becoming forgetfulconfusing her tablets, misplacing things. Shed lied, hoping hed perhaps invite her to live with them.
But Ben, seemingly alarmed, decided it was time she was properly looked after. He and Lucy workedwhod care for her? So he brought her here.
To this five-star home for the elderly.
Anne stood before the mirror.
An older womannearly eightybut so what?
Her mind was still keen. She still had strength.
Her own fault. Perhaps this was for the best.
She lay down and finally drifted to sleep.
Three weeks stretched on forever.
Her son visited every Friday, bringing treatsthough everything she could need was already provided.
All would have been lovely, if it really were only a holiday. But the thought that this might be forever gnawed at her peace.
Weve reviewed your mothers health, Annes carers told Benjamin on one such visit, Shes in excellent shape. Perhaps a touch of nerves, but nothing more.
Strangely, Anne saw him show surprise and relief. All this time, shed thought they were only waiting for her to fade away.
Then, quite out of the blue, Alice burst into the residence.
Gran! Dad said you were on holidaywhat a funny place for it! Ive just finished my degreecome, celebrate with me! Im back home now, and I want you with me. Please?
Annes heart leaptAlices sincerity was unmistakable.
Dads coming tomorrowlets pack up, were taking you home!
Anne nodded, unable to speak, tears threatening.
Marianne, setting her hair in curlers for the evening, observed:
Youre made for home, my dear, not this place, she said, only barely disguising her envy as she adjusted her coiffure. You arent suited to heredomestic life is your realm. She rose grandly and returned to her own room.
Anne packed her belongings in disbelief that she was really to leave this paradise.
Ben arrived early. He walked in, smiled, and simply said:
Mother, before embracing her.
Alice sat in the car, and to Annes astonishment, so did Lucy. Their eyes met, something softened, and warmth rushed through Anne.
All my own doing, she thought. I tried to control everything, wanted things my way, forgot to let people live. Why did I do that? Now look, their eyes are filled with questions. But these are my family.
Thank you, Anne whispered so quietly that only Ben, holding the door for her, heard as she settled into the car.
On the journey home, Anne was filled with an immense joy. She knew nowat lastthat everything could change. She believed once more in happiness.
For its trueso long as you live, its never too late to simply live, to be happy, and to share happiness with those you love.
