Today I had to visit Fox to finish off the re-packing job I started last week. Amazing how soon I have become unfit. All the walking about on cold concrete floors made my feet ache. By the end of the day I was bone tired but drove from Royal Tonbridge Wells to the hospital.

Mum had been moved from Critical Care to another ward. The medical team were happy enough with her progress and confident for her to leave their unit. During the day Lesley, after yesterday’s conversation, took Richard and Mary into see Mum. Richard found the sight of Mum harrowing but was pleased to have visited. Jasmine and Emily also visited as did Ron and Audrey all of whom arrived together!. Mum also had more visits from fellow Salvationists, Margaret and her husband who, upon seeing how many people was gathered waiting to see her highness, left saying they would return another time.

When I got in, just after 7.30, Ron and Audrey were with her. She looked tired and lay with her eyes closed. I kissed her and told her I loved her. She struggled to smile and said she didn’t feel so good today. When R and A left I sat for the remainder of the time (visiting hours end at 8) holding her hand. I kissed her goodbye and her eyes opened for the first time. She asked me to pray for her. I said I would. Not quit sure how God is going to feel about that after all the shit I threw his way during my teenage years but I will give it go even if I think it a load of bunkum.

“Hi God it’s me.”

“The boy who called me a wanker?”

“Er…yes, sorry about that. I am not here for me though, it’s me Mum, she needs your help.”

“I see. So I am not so bad when you need my help then?”

“My Mum’s good. She believes in you.”

“Indeed she does. I will see what I can do.”

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all words and art are copyright © of Russell 'C.J' Duffy. For another side of CJ go here: sOMeThiNg For tHE wEeKeND, SiR?