Sandi Remembers Her Mum
Heart of Hethersett founder Sandi Gray writes about her beautiful mum.
My mum was an amazing person. She was born in Pottergate, Norwich in 1940. She was raised during the war, Mum often told me of stories of being hungry due to the rationing. She never forgot that feeling. It bothered her in later years when she would walk to work seeing homeless people on the streets. So much so she started making sandwiches for their breakfast every morning. Starting in the beginning with one loaf of bread soon turning into four loaves.
Nancy roped me in to helping her make those special breakfasts. A memory I treasure. There is a church in Pottergate called St. Gregory's. Regularly we would walk through the area with her grandchildren. Chips from the famous corner chip shop were a must with lots of vinegar. I remember her saying this was where she wanted her ashes scattered when the time comes……of course my reply was always the same. “Oh do shut up Mum, you are not going anywhere for a long time.” How wrong was I?
My Mum is scattered under the single tree that stands within the small grass area. The tree is adorned with messages, photos, ribbons and flowers. There is also a bench with the words….Nancy Iris George – “We Do See Life” To honour her memory for her kindness to the homeless I regularly offer money, enough to buy a meal to some of the people that congregate there.
Sadly I am criticised for encouraging people to perhaps buy alcohol, but I hear my Mum saying “Who are we to judge….there but for the grace of God.” Those beautiful gentle lost people clear away the rubbish and keep the area looking lovely. They also tell me it has become a special place for them, like a little shrine.
Grief comes in many forms, one being anger. Anger….I know only too well. My Mum died through neglect within the NHS. She was 72 and loved life. Well meaning advice was to sue for compensation. What was the point in that for I would only be draining the resource even further? I received an apology which helped somewhat. I had to learn to live with knowing my Mum should still be here, my side kick, my best friend.
Rest well my sweet angel. xxx
My mum was an amazing person. She was born in Pottergate, Norwich in 1940. She was raised during the war, Mum often told me of stories of being hungry due to the rationing. She never forgot that feeling. It bothered her in later years when she would walk to work seeing homeless people on the streets. So much so she started making sandwiches for their breakfast every morning. Starting in the beginning with one loaf of bread soon turning into four loaves.
Nancy roped me in to helping her make those special breakfasts. A memory I treasure. There is a church in Pottergate called St. Gregory's. Regularly we would walk through the area with her grandchildren. Chips from the famous corner chip shop were a must with lots of vinegar. I remember her saying this was where she wanted her ashes scattered when the time comes……of course my reply was always the same. “Oh do shut up Mum, you are not going anywhere for a long time.” How wrong was I?
My Mum is scattered under the single tree that stands within the small grass area. The tree is adorned with messages, photos, ribbons and flowers. There is also a bench with the words….Nancy Iris George – “We Do See Life” To honour her memory for her kindness to the homeless I regularly offer money, enough to buy a meal to some of the people that congregate there.
Sadly I am criticised for encouraging people to perhaps buy alcohol, but I hear my Mum saying “Who are we to judge….there but for the grace of God.” Those beautiful gentle lost people clear away the rubbish and keep the area looking lovely. They also tell me it has become a special place for them, like a little shrine.
Grief comes in many forms, one being anger. Anger….I know only too well. My Mum died through neglect within the NHS. She was 72 and loved life. Well meaning advice was to sue for compensation. What was the point in that for I would only be draining the resource even further? I received an apology which helped somewhat. I had to learn to live with knowing my Mum should still be here, my side kick, my best friend.
Rest well my sweet angel. xxx
Joan's Son Bradley
Remembering Joan's son Bradley
Big Climb In Memory of Daphne
Daphne Brettingham's grandson Gary and great grandson Dylan (aged five) climbed Scafell Pike, England's highest point, in poor visibility in memory of Daphne.
It was a foggy and wet day in July, 2016, but the intrepid duo made it to the top where Dylan said a prayer for his great nan. They raised £368.90 (£449.39 after gift aid) for the Wymondham based cancer charity Star Throwers.
The gallery above features photographs from the climb. There is also a photo of Daphne with two of her great grandchildren (Dylan and his sister Lana).
It was a foggy and wet day in July, 2016, but the intrepid duo made it to the top where Dylan said a prayer for his great nan. They raised £368.90 (£449.39 after gift aid) for the Wymondham based cancer charity Star Throwers.
The gallery above features photographs from the climb. There is also a photo of Daphne with two of her great grandchildren (Dylan and his sister Lana).