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By March 1985 Harold was admitted to Ballina Hospital, it was apparent he would never come home to his dear Edith again. Still he put up a good fight and tried several times to leave the hospital! Merle and Ron were Mother's great support during this time and were spending every second weekend in Ballina, sometimes more, helping Mum through a difficult time. Alan and I visited Mum during the Easter break, it was sad to see Harold so ill, all he kept saying to me was "are you with me Y - let's get out of this place -we'll make a run for it." Easter Sunday we did make a run for it, we took Harold for a drive and picnic lunch to Lake Ainsworth. It was a super day and we have some lovely photographs to look back on. Harold's memory came back during the car ride, we drove along that magic stretch of coastline between Ballina and Lennox Head. Harold remembered Flat Rock where he and Alan had fished many times and other fishing spots along the way. Mum was filled with hope and kept saying "I'm bringing him home." "I'll arrange nursing care." Unfortunately that was not to be and Harold remained in Ballina Hospital for 2½ months before he was transferred to Byron Bay Nursing Home.
August 1985. saw Margaret go overseas, this of course gave Mum something else to worry about, even though she really was happy for Marg to be doing such a trip - she worried none the less. During these months Mum visited Harold each day to care for him, making sum he was clean and comfortable. Mother also did volunteer work for the Nursing Home, sewing and helping out in the kitchen. She was highly regarded by the staff and patients at Byron Nursing Home.
Harold passed away on the 12th November 1985, after his death Mum continued to work for the Nursing Home, on a weekly basis. She would tell me she enjoyed helping others and it helped to fill a lonely gap that was widening in Mothers life.
With the help of a hand written diary that Mother maintained during 1986 I will attempt to give an outline of her "comings & goings" during that year.
Some diary extracts of January 1986
| Thursday, 2nd: |
Margaret arrived from Sydney. I did some shopping before she arrived. |
| Friday,3rd: |
I got up early & went & had my hair cut also got some red roses to use at Robert Kathy's wedding instead of confetti. |
| Saturday, 4th: |
Margaret & I left to go to Merle & Rons at Anglers Paradise. Early lunch all got ready for the wedding in Brisbane. We all left in M & R car, boys went in one car. Wedding was great. |
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Sunday, 5th:
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Lunch at M R & left for Ballina. called into Nursing Home on way! We arrived home Sunday afternoon. Margaret was very tired. |
| Tuesday, 7th: |
Up early & left Ballina at 630a.m. We had a morning tea & lunch break on the way to Barraba. Slept well that night |