Chapter 64
Andrea: V is for Victory
Girls, I can only apologise for that last letter. I’m sure it was a difficult read, but the ever-wise Lewis insists that it stays.
I was feeling very down, and I hope you’ll forgive me. I’m all set up in hospital now, and it’s really rather nice. The staff are so kind, I have some superb drugs flowing through my system, and as much jelly as I can eat. Not bad!
There isn’t much space here, although I can use the back of the card as well, so onwards with V – and Victory.
There are four items in your package. Two are medals – I’m so sorry they’re plastic, they were described as ‘party favours’ online and came in a pack of six.
I’ve given the others to Lewis and Rhonda and myself, and left one for Joe.
We are champions all, just like that delightful Mo Farah.
Also in the package is that lovely leather-bound copy of The Secret Garden that you won in high school, Poppy, for the Creative Writing prize.
Such a clever girl. And Rose, you were named Forest Hills Young Scientist of the Year in 1991 – and here’s your prize, a paperback of A Brief History of Time.
I can see that you read it, from the dog-eared pages and the notes you left in red pen, as though you fully intended to quiz Stephen Hawking at some later point.
I was so proud of you both back then, and I still am today. I know you’ve probably long forgotten these small victories, but I kept them, of course. I loved those little plates inside, with your names and your achievements written on them in fancy letters.
I fully expected you to go on and be a writer Poppy – you were always so good with words – and for you to carry on with your science, Rose.
You’ve both made careers for yourselves, and there is nothing wrong with either of them – but I don’t sense a great air of Victory around the two of you when you talk to me about your jobs.
I know I’ve asked a lot of you both throughout this whole A–Z, but now I am being cheeky and asking even more.
Put on your medals, and be proud of who you are – but also ask who you could be.
Are you living the lives you should have led?
Are you happy going in to work every day?
If not, it’s never too late to change – and being happy in your work is one of the biggest victories of life.
Personally, I was always devastated never to have won an award. Penny Peabody came close – I was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a British Drama by some cheesy TV magazine – but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Perhaps there will be a film set in heaven, and I can chalk up an Oscar there!
Anyway. The card is full, and I am tired, so I will bid you a fond farewell.
To victory!
Mum xxx