Like most "Baby Boys" (yes, the title still gets used quite frequently) I'm guilty of taking her for granted but sometimes we need some kind of kick to realise it. For me, this came the other night when a perfectly innocent comment from her went completely over the top of my head until coming back to bite me with a vengeance a bit later.
Let me explain. The comment was that insomnia had got her up so she was going to read the paper for a while... you can't get more innocent than that.
No, my mother doesn't live with me. No, she didn't tell me this over the telephone... I was tying up the line by being on line at the time. She popped up in a Yahoo Messenger window.
Let me explain exactly what she did.
She sat down at her computer, started up the system and fired up her Internet connection. Seeing that I was on line (we chat on a daily basis) she knew I would spot her, so first she had to assure her "Baby Boy" (there she goes again) that nothing was wrong. Then she settles down to read the local paper? Nope!
Having put my mind at rest... and told me I should be in bed, she opens up her browser, and surfs to her favourite newspaper! The Daily Telegraph : London : England When I quit for the night shortly after she was still on line, probably dealing with her E-mail, or more likely downloading the latest crossword puzzle.
There is absolutely nothing unique in any of this story but, if only to me, there is one remarkable fact I have yet to mention... Mum's birthday? Her 80th!
Staying with the family connection for a moment longer I will mention that the lack of computer time not only applies downwards when it comes to generations but extends upwards as well.
Mother is heard to mutter from time to time that she could get on and do more if Father didn't spend so much time playing Solitaire. He's hooked on the fact that the cards get shuffled and turned for him which more than compensates for not being able to cheat any more! Not bad for someone who won't see 85 again.
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