Pari

I remember your luminous smile.  Eyes bright and twinkling laughter lighting your face.  The kindness of your heart enveloping those around you.  So many acts of kindness that it seemed to be an addiction not a habit for you.  You came to my home on our grotty estate and painted our entire living room a happy sunshine colour.  Then brought a table, round and low and very fancy for cups and cakes.  Too expensive for our estate but so beautiful.  You came to my door loaded with vitamins and supplements, sensing my pain when no one else did.  When my studies were finished you had a surprise celebratory party for me.  I remember travelling in Poland with you and singing a morning prayer sitting on a rock beside you.   In the silence that followed, you turned and told me that it was the most tuneless thing you’d heard ever heard!  We laughed so hard I think I remember us  falling off the rock.  Your Lemon cake from the Aga that had melted syrup on top.  So many other acts of kindness too many to put on paper.  Table loaded with lovely food and the best coffee and tea on tap.  The hostess whose heart was as big as your home.

Somehow I couldn’t face the Dreen without you for so long.  Then your grandchildren visited and in those two I saw your smile in smaller features and felt the loss strangely eased.  You are still here in so many ways.  There, in those happy grins and here in our hearts always.