her anyway. It was great to see her finally stepping out of her comfort zone and have some enjoyment in her life. Even when us kids would go and visit her, she would tell us about all the new people she had met but there was one particular. Yes a man! He had turned up one night and sat opposite her at the group table she was sitting at. Straight away the questions were flying out of our mouths! Yes we were nosy but hey, we wanted and needed to know about this person. We were now older and didn’t need or want another prick in our Mum’s life, or ours for that matter! She told us his name was John and that he seemed to be very pleasant. More details please Mum! He was little taller than her with a slim physique, short fair hair and pretty good looking. He was also very witty and exactly what she was looking for in a partner but then she told us he had separated but still living with his partner and was probably not ready or looking for another woman just yet so she had to be realistic and give up any chance. Until:
The next time she went to the dance he was there again and once again, he sat opposite her at the group table.
John then got up from the table and went around to where my Mum was sitting and asked her for a dance. What the hell? Maybe he did like my Mum after all. Only time would tell I suppose.
Mum looked at him a bit dumbfounded and didn’t know what to say at first but then said, “That would be lovely.” He then grabbed her hand and led her toward the dance floor. When they started dancing she became shy and nervous and he could see this and laughed, which put her at ease.
While they were dancing, everyone’s eye’s was watching them as they swept the floor with their graceful elegance. When they finally sat down, people were coming up to their table and telling them how beautifully they danced together.
Was this the first sign that they belonged together?
Once people stopped coming up to their table they started talking but Mum needed a drink to relax because she was still so nervous. After it had hit the spot she couldn’t help but ask about his partner he had just split with. “Wow, news travels fast,” he said. He told her they had separated because she didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere and he had become bored with her and the relationship.
Next thing we knew, Mum had invited us kids to come to our family home to meet John.
What a little devil my Mum was. Alrighty!
One by one we turned up and met him and he was just so different to the men Mum had been with in the past. He didn’t look at all like an arsehole which was a good sign. In fact, he was an absolute gentleman, easy going and very witty so he was moulding in rather well.
Eventually Mum and John started seeing each other on a regular basis and Mum was so happy but two weeks later it all changed.
I rocked up to see Mum and when I walked in the front door she broke down straight away. Why? What was wrong?
Immediately I went up to her, put my arms around her and I asked her what was wrong. She told me John had decided to go back to his partner and try with her again. I had to let my Mum go as my blood started to boil and by now I was furious! I knew this was hurting my Mum and I didn’t like it one bit. I looked at her and the profanities’ that were coming out of my mouth were not nice. “How dare he do this to you: are you not good enough for him?”
Mum didn’t like me being upset and told me to calm down so she could tell me the reason why he went back to her.
Once I calmed down, she started to explain why and even though I was reluctant to listen, I had no choice. She told me, because he had been with this woman for so long, he felt he had an obligation to not just walk out on her. He had to at least see if they could work again and to show this woman some sort of respect.
I then said to my Mum, “So in the meantime you have to wait around like a puppet to see what he wants.”
She said, “No, he doesn’t want me to wait.”
I was in disbelief and could feel myself getting angrier than before, but then Mum walked up to the kitchen sink and started crying again. I knew then that I had to calm down once and for all because it was upsetting her even more with me going on about it.
I walked up to her and put my arms around her and told her I was sorry. I then held my head up and said with confidence, “He’ll be back, give it time.” She said, “I don’t think so.” I told her he will realise how much he misses you and how much fun you have together. She said, “You reckon?”
I said, “Yep, I’ll bet you my last dollar on it!” Gees, I’m good!
As the days went by, my Mum was still upset because it was hard accepting the fact that John wasn’t coming back. But then:
Three weeks after he left, he telephoned Mum and told her he missed her and that he had made a huge mistake.
He then asked her if she would be willing to start where they left off. What a bloody cheek!
Mum was angry at first but realized this man did have some integrity by trying to do the right thing by his partner of many years so this was telling her something about this man at least and because she missed him big time, it helped to forgive him.
After they had been together for a while, John moved in with Mum but then they decided to rent Mum’s house out and get a unit. The reason being is because John didn’t want to feel like he was living or sponging off Mum. He wanted to be where he felt a balance in a home they could call theirs. Sounds familiar?
After about two years of living there, Mum got homesick for her house so they decided to move back.
Another five years went by and the love and respect they had for each other was amazing! You could tell they loved each more and more every time you saw them.
I had never known my Mum to be so content and happy with any man but John. He was a beautiful person and we all adored him and he was now part of our family.
I had just turned thirty six and the big question was popped! “Will you marry me?”“Of course I will John!” I say, “What took you so long, you big hunk of spunk?”
The entire family was so excited for them and we couldn’t wait! I was to be Matron of honour and my brother was to give her away.
They were married in my back garden which had a free standing pergola away from the house and even though the weather was pretty shitty, it was sheltered.
I also had a fairly long footpath from the house to the pergola which was ideal for my brother to walk my Mum down. Not just my brother and I were proud because we were part of the ceremony, all us kids were. Brings tears to my eyes thinking about it.
The reception was at a bowling club which meant informal but comfortable surroundings.
The most beautiful part of the night was when my Mum and John danced the bridal waltz. As always, they swept the floor together with such elegance and grace. What a fun day and night!
After their wedding, nothing changed except the love between them grew even stronger than before. They adored each other!
It was about two years later when Mum decided she needed a change in scenery and wanted to move to the country or some sort of remote area. It was something she had always wanted and dreamed but John wasn’t so keen. He was happy living in suburbia area but because he loved my Mum so much and
