What will not happen today

There will be no special Mass at church
There will be no last-minute fretting about travel arrangements
There will be no sibling rivalry about who matters most
There will be no surprise arrivals
The house will not be filled with bouquets of flowers
The table will not be heavy with dressed salmon, vol-au-vents, sausage rolls and the like
My husband will not spend his day answering the door to friends
Drinks will not flow
Tonight, the men will not visit the Irish National and the women won't chat over a Chinese takeaway
There will be no laughter and ribald humour
There will be no handing over of gifts and cards
There will be no tears of joy

But an 83 year old widower will climb into his car and take flowers to the crematorium. Because, his wife would have wanted him to, he will call at a fish and chip restaurant for lunch.

A daughter will not know quite what to say but at least on here can say Happy Diamond Wedding Anniversary Mum and Dad.

I miss you Mum.