I must admitits a bit embarrassing, really. Everyone else on the lane already has their gardens cleared and tilled, while ours sits there an eyesore. We wouldve done it ourselves, of course, but my arthritiss been acting up something dreadful, and Mums back has seized again.
I was twisting my flat cap in my hands when I found myself at Michaels door. “Michael,” I began, awkwardly, “could you and Emily give us a hand digging up the potatoes this year? Its a bit humiliating, truth be told. Our garden is the last one, sticking out like a sore thumb. Normally, wed manage, but these aches and pains have got the best of us.”
Michael, tugging on his wellies, muttered under his breath, “Why on earth do you grow so many potatoes? You dont go hungry, do you? Sorry, Dad, I cant todayIm off to the county.”
I wanted to have a sharper word, maybe give him a bit of a telling-off, but I just waved him off and headed to the garden. Picked up the pitchfork and made my way over, limping.
Annabelle, bundled in her old woollen scarf, hurried after me. “Do you think the kidsll come round to help, Nicholas?”
I grumbled, “You may as well stop waiting. Grab a bucket and start collecting what I dig up. We had five children, Anna, and none of them can be bothered to lend a hand when their parents need it. Come on then, love! Lets make a bit of headway before evening sets in.”
Meanwhile, Michaels wife Emily was giving him an earful. “Its just not decent. You lot keep to yourselves in your own separate corners, never mind helping your old parents. If my folks were still alive, Id have been over to help in a heartbeat,” she said, voice trembling a bit.
Michael put his arm around her. “Youre rightwe ought to do better. We live only down the road, but whens the last time we all got together to help them? Heres what well do: Ill take a day off work. Why dont you ring round the rest?”
Emily sat straight down with the phone and address book. “What do you mean, you cant make it? Work? Weve all got workyou can take a day off. Its not right, the old ones struggling on their own while you lot cant even be bothered to come over. No one to watch the kids? Bring them alongits the countryside, better than prowling about inside on some tablet. Well expect you all; no excuses!”
Emily managed to persuade everyone, in the endby charm or force of will.
Id just sat down on the old garden bench for a breather, saying to Anna, “At this rate, well be digging potatoes all the way till the first snow. Why did you plant so many? Always worrying the children wont have enough. Where are they now, eh? Too busy to lift a finger for their own mum and dad. Remember the old days? Wed all pitch in, make short work of it before lunchtime. Those were good times”
Anna suddenly perked up, listening. “Nicholas, did you hear that? Someones pulled up outside. Go on, see who it is.”
Limping, I headed to the gate, and soon enough, there was laughter and childrens shouting. Anna hobbled after me, holding her back.
“Good heavens!” she said, delighted. “All the familys herechildren and the grandchildren too! Oh, its wonderful.”
“Right then, Dad, where dyou keep the shovels and buckets?” Michael barked, rallying the troops.
Swallowing a lump in my throat, I managed, “Same place as last time! Have you all forgotten already?”
And then away we went. Some digging, some gathering, children carrying the potatoes to dry under the shed. We sent Anna indoors for a rest.
The daughters-in-law rolled up their sleeves, plotting a big feast later. Anna couldnt sit still, thoughpopping out to supervise, give pointers from the back door. Whats a house without the boss keeping her eye on things?
Out in the garden, it was all laughter and good-natured squabbling.
“Remember, Mike,” said Simon with a chuckle, “when you threw that spud at my forehead when we were kids? Heres payback!”
I called out in mock-complaint, “What are you lot playing at now? Youre all grown, but carry on like little lads!”
Hurrahthe garden was cleared, the heaps of stalks nicely stacked, potatoes tucked under the shed. It was time for a bite to eat.
We set the big battered table out in the yard. Everyone talking, laughing, sharing stories from childhood. Anna wiped a tear from her eye now and then, looking out over her broodgood children, really.
Neighbours passed the gate, calling their greetings, offering a kind word. Some, you could see, remembered their own kids who so rarely visited.
Emily sat quietly by Michael and asked, “What did you say to work?”
He put his arm round her. “Told them the truthmy parents needed help. Boss let me off straight away. Said, Helping your mum and dad is the right thing to do.”
Dont get so caught up in daily life that you forget your parents. Sometimes theyre too proud or too shy to ask for help, but theyll always be happy to have your company. Thats a lesson I wont be forgetting anytime soon.
