Here is my dear Mum aged 38 in 1966. Still full of life. The family project manager. Mistress of international moves and of coping with a challenge.
2 years later she took on a classic role - the suffering invalid. She retreated into a world of illness and dependency. She reverted to a 2 year old unable to do the smallest task. Eager to seek out the next illness and treatment.
She is 83 tomorrow. I have been her caregiver for 30 years. If I had my life again, I would have wished for this to have been different.
So it is a bitter sweet celebration.
