Marion’s legacy was to treat life like a party

Summer days stretch out before us, No better time to get out and about, Exploring the beautiful countryside, Invigorates without a doubt; A relaxing stroll by the river, Or along the bracing sea-shore, Countless are the pleasures,

Of summer’s open door.

“TODAY would have been my sister Marion’s 74th birthday.”

I wasn’t sure quite how to respond to Tom’s sombre news so I asked if he would be commemorating the event.

“I’m working on it,” he informed me.

JESSIE was frustrated with her doctor.

Thyroid, blood and various other checks had shown she was fine and healthy, but he couldn’t seem to figure out why she was so tired.

She was on her way home from returning her great grandson to his mother.

She kept him over a couple of nights a week to give his mother a break – and he was a wee handful.

When I asked if three-year-old Ryan might be contributing to her tiredness she said: “You’re as bad as the doctor. He suggested it might be to do with my age. But 83 is no age at all.”

Of course, I agreed and, together, we despaired over the inability of modern medicine to come up with a proper answer.

I asked how the arrangements were going and he explained: “If she was here she would be having a party.

“But then she lived her life like every day was a party.

“So, that’s how I’m going to spend today.

“And I’m constantly working on living every other day the same.”

That’s not a bad legacy to leave behind, Marion – happy birthday!

Now, let’s get on with the party.

EVERYONE who works with June knows what she’s like – a bit bolshy but, really, a big softie at heart.

So when her workmate Pete mentioned he’d approached her to ask a favour, I knew exactly how it had played out.

“At first, I got the usual response,” Pete told me. “There was a funny look followed by a big shout of ‘get lost!’.

“Then a big grin crept across her face and she told me to leave it with her.

“Within five minutes, she was across at my desk to say the favour was done.

“She headed off telling me that no thanks were needed and jokingly warned not to let slip to anyone that she’d been so nice and helpful.”

Well June, sorry, but on behalf of Pete... thanks! Now, ‘get lost’ and have a super Sunday!