What an embarrassment, honestly. Everyone else on the lane has their vegetable patches tidy for autumn, and ours looks like an eyesore. Wed have done it ourselves, of course, but my arthritiss been playing up, and Mums back gave out again.
I hadnt seen Dad upset like that in some time. He arrived at our place holding his cap in his hands, shifting his weight uneasily. Tom, I wouldnt ask if I didnt have tocould you and Emily help your mum and me with lifting the potatoes this weekend? Its awkward, you know. The neighbours all sorted, and our plots still a mess. Wed manage it but, well, I can hardly use my hands, and your mums bent double.
Pulling on my wellies, I grumbled, But why do you plant so many potatoes, Dad? Youre not exactly starving. Cant do today, Im off to Oxford for work.
He looked like he wanted to say something sharper, but just shrugged and left, limping a little as he grabbed his fork and headed out to the plot.
Mum, Margaret, wrapped her back with her thick scarf and hurried after him. Do you think the kids will come and help, John?
He answered with a huff: Oh, Im sure. Get a bucket, Margaret, and start picking. We went and had five of them, and look at usno one about when you need a hand. Shift yourself, love, well see if we cant get a bit done by nightfall.
Back at my own home, Emily scolded me, her words all concern and frustration. What are you lot like? Always keeping to yourselvescant even go and help your own parents! Its not right, Tom. If my folks were still with us, Id be straight there, no questions.
I sighed and wrapped an arm round her. Youre right. Its not good. We live around the corner but hardly pop in. Tell you what Ill get a day off at work. You ring around the others.
Emily sat with the old address book, ringing my brothers and sisters in turn.
What do you mean, you cant? Work? We all have jobs. Take a day off. Arent you embarrassed, letting Mum and Dad do it themselves? she scolded. Kids at home? Bring thembetter for them to help out in the garden than stuck with their tablets on the sofa. Well see you all soon.
Between gentle persuasion and the odd threat, Emily convinced everyone.
Meanwhile, Dad sat for a rest among the beds, speaking to Mum. Well, Margaret, looks like well be at it until the first snow. Why do we always plant this much? Oh, you always say, What if the kids need some? But where are your children? Not one of them willing to give a hand. Used to be different, didnt it? All of us together, job done before lunch. Those were the days
Mum listened and perked up. WaitJohn, can you hear a car? Maybe someones here.
Dad limped towards the gate. Suddenly, voices and laughter filled the airchildren, grandkids, all home together. Mum, clutching her back, hurried outside.
My word, look at all of you! The whole lots turned upwhat a joy!
Go on, Dad, show us where you keep the forks and spades, will you? I called out.
Holding back tears, Dad barked, Right where theyve always been! Dont tell me youve forgotten?
And so it started. Some digging, some picking, children carrying potatoes to the shed. Margaret was sent inside to take a break. The daughters-in-law rolled up their sleeves, busy getting food ready for everyone. But Mum couldnt sit stillgiving directions here, advice there, watching over everything like a proper matriarch.
On the patch, it was a merry chaos. Remember when you lobbed a potato at my head when we were kids, Tom? laughed James, my brother. I threw one back, for old times sake.
Dad pretended to grumble, Grown adults, carrying on like children
In the end, the whole vegetable patch was cleared, haulms stacked, and the potatoes under the shed. Time for a well-deserved bite.
We laid out a big spread in the garden. Laughter, stories of oldchildhood memories rolling out with cups of tea.
Mum secretly wiped away a tear or two. Good kids, she murmured. Locals walked by and stopped for a chat, sharing a smile or a word of praise. Some, with a touch of sadness, reminisced about their own children, not seen in months.
Emily turned quietly to me. What did you tell your boss?
I squeezed her shoulder. Told the truthmy parents needed a hand. He said, Helping your mum and dadthats a sacred thing.
Amidst daily routines, dont forget your parents. They may hesitate to ask for help, but spending time together means everything to them.
