Mum.
January 14th 2011 was the day Ruth lost her mother. Barbara Clayton was an avid follower of this site over the years, reading every word in the diary, quietly supporting and encouraging all our efforts. Not everyone is blessed with “good” parents — I have been one of those fortunate people, I had a terrific childhood with caring, loving, supportive parents who encouraged, guided or cajoled each of their three children to work hard, try their best and put 100% effort into anything they chose to do.
We held a service of thanksgiving for our mothers life, rather than a traditional, dour funeral service, we felt that best suited the woman who was the central hub of the family. As my brother said at that service, while mum frequently raised her eyebrows and sighed quietly over the trials of her children, she never once directly informed any of us that we were in error, she simply watched, hoped and was ready to pick up the pieces if all failed — for this, she will be missed greatly.