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Happy Birthday, Mr. Ramsgate by Sue Clayton

22/5/2020

 
“May God welcome him into his heavenly home…” the priest droned, the church’s only other occupant except for me and my Fred, lying in his Covid infected coffin.

His children and grandchildren had managed a birthday visit before the borders closed, shedding tears as his gnarled fingers clawed at the home’s window in a frantic attempt to wave at his loved ones locked outside.

“Will she send me a card?” His timorous voice had asked.

​A cream card, embossed with a gold 100 stood on the coffin; written inside

​‘To Mr. Fred Ramsgate, on the occasion of…signed Elizabeth R.'
stella gaucher murovic
22/5/2020 01:23:03 pm

This is so lovely Sue - love your description, so apt since I've seen it in person - too sad and too real - thank you,

Ed N. White
22/5/2020 06:36:40 pm

A thoughtful and moving story. God save the Queen. And God help all of us through these perilous times.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
22/5/2020 07:27:26 pm

A touching tale! Liked it. Well done, Sue.

Sue Clayton
23/5/2020 02:36:57 am

Thank you for your much appreciated comments, Stella, Ed and Paritosh.

Mary Wallace
23/5/2020 02:36:58 am

Lovely story Sue. Sad that our loved ones can't be given the send off they deserve. This year will be remembered with so much pain.

Sue Clayton
23/5/2020 03:33:08 am

So true, Mary, and so many will live forever with the pain of not being able to say goodbye.

Swapan k Banerjee
23/5/2020 04:56:07 am

How you step into the shoes of your characters and make them come alive! You certainly have a way with words. Best wishes, Sue

Sue Clayton
23/5/2020 06:27:13 am

Thank you for your lovely comment, Swapan. Best wishes to you too.

Pamela Kennedy
23/5/2020 10:20:38 am

Sue, this was a very moving story.

Sue Clayton
24/5/2020 04:09:48 am

Thanks Pamela.


Comments are closed.

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