Sheila Maxey enjoys a life-giving solo journey

Recently I travelled by train to visit my favourite cousin in Germany and then my daughter, Mary, in the Netherlands. It was such a life-giving journey. I felt so free – just me and my little case – not looking for lifts or ramps for the wheelchair, not worrying about Kees’s instability. And I was made so welcome: special cakes baked, other family members coming specially to see me, my daughter taking time off to show me around. My cousin, with whom I have been in close contact since I was 18, seemed in essence just the same, although 88 and in poor health.

A week later was my birthday and again I was centre stage. My son and my daughter, Ruth, and my niece, Ann came – Ruth bearing a cake. I had so many loving cards and the pile of presents were all to do with helping me through long, solitary evenings – DVDs, talking books and lots of books…

Sheila Maxey is a member of Brentwood United Reformed Church, Essex

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This is an extract from an article published in the May 2023 edition of Reform

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