My mammy and daddy

My cousin posted this picture on Facebook this evening! I have hardly any photographs of the two of them - it had to be my blip!!!

They were young when they married - my Mama just 20, and my dad 24/25! I was born when my Mam was 21....

They had a turbulent relationship, to say the least! My dad was in the merchant navy when they married and often worked away during my childhood. I don't think I really knew him. There was a fair bit of domestic abuse. They separated several times during my early years, and my mother remarried when I was 12. It was still fairly unusual in those days and I felt very embarrassed by it. I think my 3 younger sisters were more accepting. I became ill with anorexia, and this was to be my life until I was over 30. It took me to death's door and back. They got back together when I was 17 and remarried when I was 19. It didn't last more than a few years.

My Mam was very ill shortly after they divorced for the second time, and was left blind as a result. My Dad moved to Thailand and died out there about 4 years ago. I tried to get hold of him when I heard he was dying but he didn't respond. Hopefully he received my messages. It's all very tragic when I think about it.....so I don't often!