19 November 2007

A Conversation With my Mother,

My mum, that grand old lady of nearly 88, rang me yesterday. She had been very sick a couple of months ago with a nasty infection that invaded her organs. Consequently she slept a lot, from the infection and mainly from the antibiotics, for a couple of weeks after her illness.

So, yesterday, I asked if she was getting her strength back. Below is the ensuing conversation.

Me: Are you getting your strength back and getting around a bit more?

Mum: No, not really. I don't think I will now. I have to walk using a stick.

Me: Well, you're only two years off ninety.

Mum: I know. That's what I tell myself and everybody else. I told Erin (my cousin) the same thing and she said, why didn't I act it?

Me: Tell her you're trying to.

The rest of the conversation is one we have every year.

Mum: Now, before I forget, no birthday or Christmas presents. (Her birthday is December, mine's January). We have everything and people buy us things we don't need.

Me: Too late, I've already got yours.

Mum: Well, you buy us things we can use (I send a hamper of edible and drinkable goodies each year). We're old and we don't need a lot now.

Me: You sound like you're going to pop your clogs before long.

Mum: Well, it's only a matter of time.

Me: Can you wait until after Christmas? I've already got your present.

Mum: Oooh, yes. I want to see what you've bought us!

A black sense of humour runs in our family.

16 comments:

Merle said...

Hi Robyn ~~ Great conversation with your Mother, thanks for sharing it with us. I loved the photos of the magpies, and the kookaburra in the previous post. I use to say last post, but that thought is scary.
Thanks for the update on Lee, glad she is OK and having fun in her life.
Making more stories to tell us.
Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.

Jellyhead said...

She sounds like a beaut Mum. Good to hear the pair of you share that same wicked wit!

Hootin Anni said...

That's funny! Aren't families terrific?!!! This is so typical of our grown parents, isn't it. 88, huh? Fantastic!!!! But think about it, she's 88 that'll make you ancient----like me!!! [giggles]

Happy day dear lady. Loved the conversation...and the bird photos below? Those are pretty darn cool.

Peter said...

Hi Robyn, loved those years late in my Dads life, he died at 91, seems you can share anything at that stage.

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

88 that is a great age!! You sound like you have a "spunky" mother just like mine at 83!! I hope you and I have those same gens!! Smile. Sandy

Walker said...

When you can joke like that life goes on for ever :)

Karen said...

There is nothing that you will get you through life better than a wicked sense of humour. Your mum sounds fantastic.

Unknown said...

Nothing ever changes...

I was thinking about getting them one of those digital photo frames so we can just send memory sticks full of photos and they can have a slide show!

Tammy said...

I love hearing about your Mum...it's been a while...lol!

Carole Burant said...

LOL, oh Robyn, I've said it before but your mom is a pure delight! hehe How I would love to sit down and have a chat with her, I've no doubt she'd have me in stitches with her dry sense of humour! lol xox

Andree said...

that is perfect! It's like a routine the two of you have. I actually laughed (again). do you have any photos of her? she must be a beauty.

Gledwood said...

Great stuff!

Pear tree cottage! said...

O! Robyn, what fun that conversation was, we have one very similar with Rob's mum each year aslo about this time.....they can always make you smile.

Now I want to tell you about my OES.......It is a masonic order, I am sure you know how men only go off at night in their black suits to meet at "The lodge" well this is a similar thing only the diference is (I think you may like this idear) it is for ladies! :) men can join but they are not incharge infact they only do what they are told to lol lol lol!

All jokes aside this in called the "order of the eastern star" and has been going for some 180 years around the world and here too. if you wnat to know more google easter star I think it is an interesting order. (well I like it! lol lol)

enjoy your day!
Lee-ann

Jeanette said...

Hi Robyn, Nice conversation with your Mother , Oh how I miss those times when I would ring Mum for a chat..Mum Died 10 years ago aged 93...And love the photo's of Mother Magpie feeding her young and the Kooka on the fence...

Liz Hinds said...

Your mum sounds great! My great-Auntie Lottie used to say things like, 'there's no point buying new clothes; I won't get the wear out of it!' And she must only have been in her sixties then! My great-auntie Vi, on the other hand, had a new hat every week!

wazza said...

Gidday Robyn,

I can relate to your mother's story.
In the latter part of my mum's life she was in a nursing home and she'd ring at any time of the day of nite, sometimes 3am. You'd ask what's wrong...nothing was the reply. It's 3am Mum, oh is it, I just thought I'd give you a call. Gee thanks, Mum.
Then later on she'd ring and when she decided she'd had enough of the conversation she'd just hang up.
When this first happened you'd ring her back and ask what happened and she'd say that she had nothing else to say. No goodbye...just click as the phone is hung up. She did this to all her sons and daughters and even her sisters, but nevertheless we still loved her and still miss her. Mum's, can't live with them and can't live without them.