Memories of Rose

Memories of Rose

...Rose, what are you like...


Sorry for this, but living on the other side of the world from family, is by its nature, 'the other side of the world'.

We got the terrible news last night that Rose (My wife's mum, our children's nan and my friend and mother -in-law) has died.

Rose was the mother to 12 children. Countless grand children and even a sprinkling of great grand children. She was also a mother figure to me and many other people.Rose was also wonderfully funny and full of humour and character.

I would like to relay one experience of my own.

Rose agreed to come on holiday with myself, Stewart, Jackie (her daughter) and our, at that time, only son, James.

What followed was a fantastic funny, enjoyable holiday with a great woman and not just 'the mother -in-law'.

The following is one of many tales I could tell. (Buy me a Tequilla and I will tell you more).

Setting: A hotel room in Majorca.....Rose comes in to the dining room, almost sobbing with laughter, holding a flat melted plastic electric kettle, revealing that Jackie, her sensible daughter. Had placed an electric kettle on an electric ring. The kettle now resembling a frisbee drew much delight from Rose...."oh Jackie what are you like"

An hour later. Rose finds Stewart trying to hang out washing on the balcony. She laughs as Stewart pulls at the washing line eventually pulling it out of the wall......... "oh Stewart What are you like"

And so the evening went on... eventually, Jackie noticed that Rose was, herself very quiet on the balcony.

A quick check revealed why... Rose, whilst sitting outside enjoying a cigarette and a cup of tea, had burnt a brown patch in her plastic chair. However rather than reveal her moment of mishap she is on her knees 'sanding' the offending evidence away with a matchbox.

The laughter from Rose at being 'caught out' still rings in my ears especially after Jackie and I had our chance to say "Rose, WHAT ARE YOU LIKE"

The great thing was the laughter, still coming from Rose's room an hour after she had gone to bed....'Rose what are you like'.....missed that's what.

Love Jackie Stew James Stephen

posted by Stew Gill

Monday, July 24, 2006