Aunty Peggy's home was always filled with fun and laughter; she had enough love and cuddles for everyone. I remember there was always fabulous smells of something delicious baking in the oven and screams of delight coming form the garden as Uncle Colin played chase with the little ones. I was always madly excited when dad took me to West Kirby to spend time with Carol. Being an only child it was lovely to spend time with my cousins; enjoying the feeling of being part of such a big, loving and happy family. Carol and I were still in Junior school so not all of the children had been born. I remember playing tick on the green with Chris who was a lovely lad and a real giggler and I think Marc would be with us too, I do know for sure that we always had a great time running around and making lots of noise. Carol & I always had beautiful bows in our hair but it wasn't long before the ribbons were undone and flying behind us as we played. Eventually Aunty Peg would call us in for a drink of pop to calm us down and retie the bows. Sometimes we would be allowed to walk down the lane to see the horses, what a treat! Such lovely memories of just how a childhood should be, safe, carefree and filled with laughter.
I also remember helping her make lots of delicious scones.....well I say help but it was mainly Aunty Peg making them and Carol and I eating them! Aunty peg would make a little one each for Carol & I and then let us eat them while they were still warm from the oven. If I close my eyes I can still taste them and feel the gorgeous melting butter running down my chin. I know she has passed her talent for cooking and baking on to her girls and she will have been so proud of them all.
One of my stand out memories is when I had a sleepover at Aunty Pegs. She had not long had a new baby, I think it was Mike but I am not sure, Carol will know. Anyway when we woke up in the morning Aunty Peg brought in the brand new baby. I had never seen one up close before and couldn't believe my eyes. Then she put him down in between us so we could hold him and play gently. I was in absolute awe of carol as she was so confident with the baby whereas I didn't have a clue. I remember the feeling of holding this tiny baby and I remember Aunty peg's smile as she watched me. I realise now, that by letting me hold him she had created a little bit of magic in my life. Where else at my age would I be able to experience this wonderful feeling, a feeling that will stay with me to the end of my days. She was an amazing mother and taught her children the secret from a very early age. She was truly blessed with lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren and I know the joy that blessing must have brought her. When I went home after that sleepover I was full of it and mum said I pestered her for months to let me have a baby. That year I put 'a new baby please' on my Christmas list and sent it to Father Christmas. Either he didn't get the letter or he had run out of new babies by the time it reached him.
When I had my own son, Aunty peg set to with her knitting needles and would make him the most fabulous jumpers. Postman Pat and Noddy to name but two. He had jumpers with every childrens favourite tv characters on them; they were the envy of all my friends.
She never forgot his birthday or Christmas and when he went to London for a brain operation she sent me a card, told me she would say a prayer and that he would be fine. She was right, her prayer was answered and he survived. God Bless her for having the faith.
Aunty peg & Uncle Colin also looked after and cared for our Nana who was suffering from dementia. They did everything they could to help her and they gave her the best care and the best life. I was, am and always will be eternally grateful and full of respect for them both. My dad and I visited Nana on Friday nights and Aunty peg would make sure that we returned home with a bagful of of freshly baked goodies. I will never know how she found the time for everything and everyone but somehow she did, always.
In the last few years my dad, her brother in law, was also struck down with dementia and started to wander. He had always loved Peggy since she met Uncle Col and he would walk down tip lane at night, in the pitch dark to visit her. She would take him in, warm him up, give him a cup of tea and a slice of whatever cake she had made that afternoon. She would chat with him and talk about the old days, all the time caring about his welfare and preserving his dignity. When he was ready to go she would fill a bag of goodies for him, he never left empty handed. She would then ask Carol to let me know when he left so I could go and find him. She always asked me to let her know he was safe. It was a difficult time but she never made him feel he was imposing himself on her. She just took care of him for the time he was in her company. There are no words that full express my gratitude.
Rest in peace Aunty Peggy.xxxx