WEDNESDAY
and said they nd bad news. e good news is him and the s Alzheimer’s. .” s story was TV but Neil is so rchers helped gical dad. t, Neil was sent is dad in his ould check it on. ake sure it was Watson, I was to nd show that to k. When I got o the house I urst out ke looking at a was an amazing ght away it was m said, ‘Yes, s your dad’.” d away last he understood meet his dad. rwhelmed at seeing her dad meet his long-lost father for the first time.
She added: “Harry’s wife Ana said, ‘Come on, Harry, meet Neil, your son.’ Harry turned around with a tear in his eye and said, ‘Is it?’ My dad almost collapsed.
“I was right behind him and my dad’s knees went and I thought he was going to faint.
“There were tears streaming down my face but I was trying to keep my eyes open so I could see everything. It was such a special moment.
“We think he knew who he was because he started to cry when my dad gave him a hug. I’d really like to think he knew who my dad was.”
They were all struck by the family resemblance. And Harry and Neil looked even more alike in photos of their early 20s.
Lauren said: “My dad gave Harry gifts to jog his memory – shortbread, a book of our home town Aberdeen and pictures of the local football team of Harry’s era. His excitement at remembering snippets of growing up there was so special.”
Neil admitted he wondered whether he’d ever get to meet his biological dad.
“I tried all these things for years and I thought it’s never going to happen and here I was at 48 finally giving him a hug in his care home. Then the nurse came in with mince and tatties. He likes his food. I know where I get that from now.”
Having seen the effects of conditions like Alzheimer’s firsthand, Neil is proud Lauren is running a marathon to help find a cure.
“My stepmum was married to my dad for almost 50 years and she’s devastated – it’s such a cruel disease as you’ve got to slowly watch them go downhill.
“I will always keep in touch with my extended family. When he died, my stepmum made sure I was involved and she sent over a little urn so a little bit of him could be in Scotland as well.”
He’s glad his dad got to follow his dreams of travel and had a good life. And Neil is delighted he’s discovered other relatives and has even been reunited with a cousin he went to school with – not realising at the time they were related.
Lauren said: “It’s such a shame my dad didn’t get to know his dad when he was well. I think they’d have got on so well. But he’s so pleased he’s now in touch with other family.” gillian.loney @reachplc. com been in her 50s, sitting on a beach with a skinny teenager who had no idea what she was on about at the time – but in her head, my maw could just as easily have been 21 again, bronzed and rocking a bikini like nobody’s business. It’s a comforting thought that no one ever feels quite like a grown-up. The second was from an old boss and, although slightly less cheery, still rings true – the alternative to getting older is death, so why not just celebrate it? Nowadays, the women I look up to are successful, smart, funny and fabulous from head to toe – and most have at least 10 years on me. I spend my working life surrounded by glamazons showing anxious little 30-somethings how it’s done. I’m sure they have their insecurities too – no matter what your age, it’s fair to assume you haven’t achieved it all just yet, and that you’ll still obsess about your number along with the odd wrinkle or grey hair. For now, I’ll take that slice of birthday cake and smile when someone wishes me many happy returns. I may have well and truly kissed my 20s goodbye and I didn’t gain all the answers at 30 but I have plenty ahead to look forward to – and that’s worth racking up a few more years on the clock.
It’s such a shame my dad didn’t get to know his own father when he was well