Monday this week marked what would have been my Aunt Ellen's 100th birthday, no mean feat for a little lady born in 1921. Sadly, we found ourselves at her funeral, as she died in December, and the date was chosen as a good time for a celebration of her life.
Also, in these minimalistic social times, what turns out to be the best social occasion in months, with a whole 7 members of the family being in the same place at the same time, and not a Zoom screen in sight.
Her funeral was held at a very sweet little church in Loughton, Essex, where she had lived for as long as I can remember. We used to go there when I was very young, and Ellen's amazing culinary skills were always a major teat – she's put on a cracking spread, and we were then forced the whole 100 yards up her cul-de-sac onto Epping Forest for the obligatory wander to walk it all off. So Mr H & I trotted off with the dog for a quick loop before the ceremony, for old time's sake..
So, a nice occasion to see my (only) cousin Adrian and his 25 years old daughter Scarlett, plus my brother Richard and his daughter Jess, with baby Violet. Who was very good throughout, until Rick stood up to carry some of the funeral flowers outside, at which point she bawled the place down as grandad had gone.
And we went on for a naughty but nice cup of tea, standing in a car park by the forest all together. So odd that this is what life has been reduced to, and that it still felt really nice as it's more social than we've had in far too long! And a chance to see the fam members who don't live within the 'local' guidelines. Also the first time I have put boots on in a year I reckon – my feet had no idea what these strange tight things were, as they have only had flip-flops and walking boots for sooooooo long.
Here's to Aunt Ellen – 100 years old, more or less, and the very last of the 5 Scott children, that included my Dad as the youngest.
S x