A Letter of Thanks...

Dear Friends as you know my wonderful mother Nan died at the end of October and I would like to thank you all for the loving care and support you have given Nan and myself over the past seven years.

We first came across the British Association of the Var shortly after Nan had her first stroke in 2001. I was having great difficulty coping with Nan’s immobility and also work, when I saw a piece in the Var Village Voice about Ruby Stamp being a welfare officer with the BA. It also mentioned they had wheelchairs etc they could lend to people in need. I rang Ruby and found not only some one to lend me equipment but a caring friend who has supported us over the years. Nan joined the BA and really enjoyed HER CLUB, as she referred to it. With working it was not easy, but I did manage to get her to some events. Her favourite event was the carol service and lunch. Nan said to me “I don’t know these people but they are so kind and come and speak to me”

Over the years Nan had more strokes and her mobility got worse and I was unable to leave her. When I was made redundant after seven years as a guardian my worse nightmare came about. We had to leave the apartment where we were living, thankfully we did have our house in Seillans, but how was I going to move and get another job where I could have Nan with me. Well of course the BA, in the shape of the Ross family, was there to save us again and they helped me pack, and move. Our next helper was John Collingwood, with his never ending supply of “know how” gave me help in getting a handicapped parking permit for Nan and told me what other aid I could get.

We struggled for a year with me on unemployment benefit but yet again the BA was there. This time in the form of welfare officer Elaine Bowler. Elaine was not only the best listener to all my problems but she organised some help with payment of some medical bills.

One of Nan’s favourite outings was with the gardening group where everyone was so kind to her. She often joked with members not to let me take too many plants at the plant swap as she would spend the next week planting them.

Just over a year ago I was blessed when Alastair and Bongie Ross offered me a job where I could take Nan with me. She loved her days at work when she would watch, the television with one of the households “handsome young men” or me whilst I worked.

In October when I was suffering from stress and many sleepless nights because of the extra care Nan needed the BA helped towards the cost of a nurse to care for Nan whilst I took a break. My daughter in the USA sent me a ticket to visit them and meet my newest grand daughter.

I had only been away five days when Nan caught a virus and died 48 hours later. I could not get back from the USA in time to be with her but she died peacefully in her bed with three members of the BA holding her hands and stroking her head.

Members of the BA organised her cremation and the celebration of her life held afterwards. As there were no flowers at her service many people gave donations to go towards buying a bench for our garden. Well I have bought three benches and a coffee table, so now I have a special area in my garden in memory of my lovely mother who I miss so very much.

So thank you all from the bottom or my heart for the loving care you gave Nan and are still giving me.