Those of you who have followed the adventures of Jaggy
Bunnet from the early days of the 1980s in the 'Scottish Rally Championship
Newsletter' and 'Road Sport North' newspaper and other outlets may well recall
that Exocet (aka, the mother-in-law) made a few appearances. Sadly, she passed
away today (6th March) at the age of 92.
Until fairly recently she lived on her own, fiercely proud and
independent, until diagnosed with leukaemia. Nothing could be done. Leukaemia
is just one of life's nastier, sneaky, invidious pernicious and unpredictable
afflictions that attacks healthy tissue directly while indirectly attacking the
soul and compassion of those nearest and dearest family members and friends.
Death can be so cruel at times. Regardless of whether it's an
unexpected, sudden visit or a protracted, long drawn out affair, it's not just
the sufferer who is affected, it is those around them. Such prolonged goodbyes are
not solitary experiences, they affect family members and friends. Suffering
rarely ever visits alone.
This grand old lady doted on her daughter, Lady Bunnet and
granddaughter, Baby Bunnet and who knows she may even have liked me, just a wee
bit. She lost her husband a few years back. His latter years were spent in a
wheelchair with an oxygen bottle strapped to the undercarriage, courtesy of emphysema
and an early career in the Lanarkshire steelworks.
Even so we had many good times. Really good times. We pushed that
bluidy wheelchair around Skye, the Lake
District, the Yorkshire Dales, Beamish Open Air Museum and countless country
parks and garden centres in between till he could be pushed no more. It was those
happier memories which made the darker episodes tolerable.
Chirsty Watson, or Peggy as she was known, was originally from Skeabost
in Skye. She was a nurse during the war in Glasgow and latterly a nurse in a
Care Home in Lanarkshire, and then had to care for her husband David in her
retirement. She was no politician or philanthropist, but she made a difference.
May she rest in peace now.
Speaking of politicians, it made me think that Health Secretary Jeremy
Hunt MP is mis-titled, perhaps he should be called the Sickness & Meanness Secretary.
Over recent months Lady B and myself can only praise the medical professionals,
doctors, junior doctors and particularly the nurses and careworkers, but they
are all hampered and hindered by lack of support and resources. Just as this is
the 'caring profession' so it needs a 'caring professional' in the Government
running the NHS.
There is one other I should mention, Lady B. I always thought she was a
saint. I was wrong. I think she is actually an angel.
Thank you so much John for posting such a nice post...! Mobility scooter can be useful for those who are suffering from the arm or shoulder flexibility. It is Comfortable Riser Recliner Chairs.
ReplyDelete