Mary (not Berry) cuts the cake

I am totally crippled today and even walking a few steps is horribly painful. Luckily no walking was involved for our visit to Mary’s garden in Sabden near Clitheroe. It was about 40 minutes drive in the van from the site.

We had not seen her since her husband‘s funeral just before the first lockdown. Bill was one of my closest school friends and we went to the same Uni. Then after Mr C and I moved back from Hong Kong to Lincolnshire they lived nearby. So we have known Mary for over 50 years. She is very lonely and sad especially as due to Covid she’s not been able to see her children and grandchildren who live too far away. We were able to sit in the garden as it is sheltered. She has a dog which has been a great companion but now it is old. She feels she’s succumbing to old age and doesn’t like it but doesn’t know how to combat it. She’s physically fit - it is a mental thing. She knows lots of people in the village but has no really close friends. I don’t know how I can help except listen and encourage her to talk.