In the shadow of the Law

Another day by my mother’s bedside as she shrinks and sinks further into herself.

Her deep peaceful sleep was punctuated only briefly by a spell where she seemed to recognise us and the messages of love from friends and family. She tried to mouth some words but nothing was audible. She then fell back into a rhythmic sleep in which her breathing gradually, very gradually, began to slow.

It is remarkable to think that only a week ago we were out for tea to celebrate my OBE, albeit that she was very frail then. But she was determined - as she has been determined in many things in life - to do it. But even then she did comment in passing that sometimes it feels as if you live too long. She had a premonition.

This view on the way to the hospital, which lies in the shadow of Berwick Law, sums up why she so loved living the latter part of her life in East Lothian. The fields and farming reminded her of growing up in Ireland. And the skies always had a special luminescence and cloud patterns which she loved.