This is Mum’s response: To Sam, Gwen & Family, Your “Email” of 15 December received from Phil and so very much appreciated. It took me back to our days at The Gap when we were all much younger and life was very full and all our efforts and talents were being used. One of my “special talents” of course, was filling six huge pillow-cases! Balloons were a good choice, a lot of them, colourful and cheap! But nobody, but nobody ever in the Baskerville household hung up a “stocking”. It was always the largest pillow-case that could be found. I can still recall our bed-room on Christmas morning, with kids everywhere, covering the sheets, the blankets, the pillows, and the simple fun of it all. . . . “Just what I always wanted!” Even if it wasn’t! We are told the boy is the father of the man and that remains true for everyone of us (even for the girls?HB). And I think that “the boy” is largely due to his heritage in a family and the understanding that we are loved unconditionally. Later on in life, of course, we come to realise that this is how God loves us also;(Now she is preaching but it’s good stuff HB) Daphne is so excited about your return to Brisbane and, of course, for us too it is wonderful. I am so proud of you and your family – so much a part of our family team. Regarding my ankles: they were badly damaged in the fall. One was stitched; it looked a bit like spider’s web originally. But the other was like a large “slice” which they couldn’t stitch and there was some “tut-tutting” medically (it’s a new form of treatment. HB) But, it too has started yo heal and we are both hoping and believing that this will continue. I have to sit or lie down all the time with my two legs raised, so Dad has become expert at housework and even at cooking. I only go out to see the Doctor. (not the whole truth! I took he out for the day yesterday to visit an old friend from immediate post-war days, Bill Redmond. He lost his wife just twelve months ago. We knew them both very well.HB) Most of the family are now at Straddie (that is, if David and Helen constitute both!HB) but we hope to see something of you at Christmas. (probably not a big get-together but in smaller and more intimate occasions.HB) Love always, Mum. [Sam]
