Feeling a gentle nudge, I yawned and rolled over. ‘Tashy, are you awake?’ whispered a voice.
I turned my head and saw my mum standing there. It was January 1994 and I knew what had happened. ‘Dad?’ I asked. She nodded her head, and then tears began falling from her eyes as I leapt from my bed to comfort her. ‘Oh Mum,’ I said. We stood like that for a while in the darkness until she was able to speak. ‘I got the call last night and went to the hospice. It was a peaceful ending.’
My brother Jason, then 17, came into the room and we sat on my bed, too stunned to cry or speak.
Although I knew this day was coming, it was still a shock. My dad Colin had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) two years earlier and his demise had been quick and brutal.
I’d gone from seeing my confident, charismatic father reduced to using a wheelchair and having carers visit twice a day to help him in and out of bed. Simple tasks such as lifting a glass to drink were impossible, and his once beautiful writing turned to a toddler’s scrawl. He’d choked constantly and his speech was lost.
I hadn’t heard of motor neurone disease until his diagnosis in 1992, when I was 17. All I knew was that he’d fallen over three times and broken bones each time.
My mum Teresa, then 43, was a constant source of support for him, accompanying him to his hospital appointments. When MND was eventually confirmed by a neurologist and we were told it was terminal, my mum announced that Dad should move back to the family home in Kent.
I was absolutely furious. Because Dad hadn’t lived with us in years and a big part of me was mad at Mum for letting the man who’d treated her so badly back into the family home.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'SEEING MY NAME ON TV IS SURREAL'
Loose Women newbie Olivia Attwood Dack on joining the hit show, marriage and career goals
THE MISSING PIECE
My earliest memory of my older sister Priya wasn’t one where she was present, but rather, the realisation of her absence.
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Rustle up these tasty family dinners with just five easy ingredients
SMILING THROUGH CANCER
Like most mums, when my kids are upset I’ll do almost anything to turn their frowns upside down, whether it’s making Max, 11, his favourite chocolate cake or putting on silly voices for Georgia, eight, when she’s had a bad day at school.
BRAVERY AMIDST SUCH HORROR
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on dinner time, posh grub and wet summers
RELAX & RESET
For farm-to-table food and a game-changing spa, head for the dramatic Dolomites
HELP! I'M TURNING INTO MY MUM
As the years pass, Heather Main, 39, realises she’s inheriting more and more of her mother’s traits
I WAS MISTAKEN FOR MY HUSBAND'S MISTRESS!
When Gemma Loveden, 38, lost l6st, a family member was convinced she was someone else...
Denise confesses I'MA MORNING SEX PERSON'
Never one to mince her words, Denise Welch is much-loved by fans for her refreshing honesty.
Cat & Ben SNUBBED!
Are the This Morning hosts feeling disgruntled after missing out on an NTA nomination in favour of Alison?