by Helen
I have so many happy memories of John: Our holidays altogether (Brussels, Wales, Suffolk, E Sussex, Yorkshire), our many trips to the seaside (Kent, Norfolk, Suffolk). Listening to his trips down memory lane in Sheppey and Margate. Going on plenty of walks and stopping in lots of cafes. Going for family walks when I was pregnant, with us two walking slowly (and not as far) behind everyone else. Lots of fun Christmases together, and of course, the singing pig for my birthday!
More recently my memories of John, are of him as a wonderful Grandad to Frankie, Martha and Ted. All the birthday outings that we went on together; zoos, animal parks, Dreamland, science museum, transport museums and steam trains. Spending Christmas times together, pumpkin picking, building (and knocking down) sandcastles at the beach, and football at the park. Frankie and Martha always loved helping Grandad eat his magnums. They loved to ‘borrow’ his walking stick. They loved jumping on him in bed first thing in the morning whenever we stayed.
A very fond recent memory I have is from January 2023. As with all our children, John and Linda came to help out with the older ones when the baby was born. A few days after I’d come back from hospital with a newborn Ted, Keat and Linda took Frankie and Martha out for the day so I could rest. John stayed at home with me and Ted. As I was recovering, and Ted was a sleepy newborn, I spent the majority of the day sat on the sofa, with Ted asleep in my arms. I was enjoying the peace and quiet, but kept asking if John wanted the tv on. He didn’t. John spent most of the day sat beside me on the sofa, occasionally bringing me cups of tea, but mostly nodding off. Every now and again, the doorbell would go, as people were sending flowers/ gifts etc. Each time it went, John got up, went to the door, came back with a parcel, and very happily opened it himself. Then he’d sit back down, make a joke about how many presents he’d got that day, and promptly nodded off (until the doorbell went again!).
