Twenty-twenty-five - a short story

[Tender Face]

Almost 30 years ago my dad nicknamed himself ‘2025’. His reason? He had got mixed up with the 24 hour clock. In September 1981, due to catch a flight out to Greece at 25 past 8pm, he had made arrangements to get to the airport for a flight at 25 past 10pm. Given my dad was a pretty intelligent fellow, well known for his maths skills in particular, it caused much hilarity amongst friends and family that he could have made such a mistake. (He got to Greece but not on the scheduled flight!)

Such was dad, instead of trying to hide his mistake – he openly accepted it and talked about it – and laughed at himself. It was that ability to deal with things with maturity and humour, to acknowledge his own faults and mistakes with good grace – and often much laughter – that endeared him to so many. How lucky I was.

For years, friends came to call him ‘2025’ ... he would use the name on raffle tickets, football cards .... ‘2025’ became engrained in family folklore ......

September 2008, and mum is failing fast ..... as she slips into coma state we are warned there may be minutes or hours ...... and yet she is hanging on. Goodbyes have been said ... we have been blessed with warnings the moment is coming and had our chances to make right any wrongs ... to say anything left unsaid ....... we have had a minister ........... People are asking ‘What is she waiting for?’ She is showing such tenacity ... wrack brains to think of significant dates ... or why she will not ‘let go’ ...... is there something unfinished we need to do or say?

15th September.... and still she holds on into the evening ...breaths more laboured but so determined .... until finally, her chest is still ..... there are gasps and sobs around the room .... and I look at the clock brought from the mantelpiece at home ..... and know at last what she was waiting for ..... it is ‘2025’ and she’s just caught the flight to be reunited with dad.

A very short and true story which cannot begin to express the loving memory of two remarkable people I had the privilege to have had as parents ......

Karen, x

[Helen33]

Oh my g-d Karen, that is amazing I love to hear these true stories.

It is the first time that I have noticed you talking of your dad and your mum at the same time (I may have missed some). It felt really nice

Love

[christine_batch]

Dear Karen,

Thank you for sharing such a special memory of your parents.

2025 will be with you for the rest of your life with love.

Love From
Christine. xxx


p.s. Peter's wall clock stopped at the time he was buried 11.45.
I have set that clock so many times and it still goes back to 11.45.

[Grannie G]

A goose bump moment Karen.

[BeckyJan]

Lovely - thanks for sharing Karen

Can we have a special celebration 15 yrs next New Year!!!

Jan

[Cate]

What a lovely story, you see, the good memories are creeping in.

xxxxxx