IN MEMORY OF JOAN

Today, had she lived, Mr. HCB’s mother, Phyllis Evelyn Joan, would have been 101, and I am sure we would all have been round at her house, tucking into ham sandwiches made with ham she had boiled herself, home made fruit cake, a strawberry trifle, which was her speciality, Orange Club biscuits  and a Battenburg cake!

And, of course, there would have been a birthday cake too - but I doubt we would have got 101 candles on it - so perhaps the token 5 or 10 would have done - and then of course, all the little ones would have to have the candles re-lit and blow them out again, and again - and again - before singing “Happy Birthday to You” at the tops of our voices.

We had such happy times with this lovely lady and miss her so much - so we will raise a glass to her tonight when we have our meal and say “Happy Birthday, Mum - you were simply the best”!

This was her favourite Christmas Carol -  In the Bleak Midwinter so enjoy it with us.

I can imagine Mum quoting this:

If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known
Weep if you must
Parting is hell
But life goes on
So sing as well!
Joyce Grenfell