I was born into a privileged environment.  Both my parents were together – a rarity nowadays. I never wanted for anything, and my family were close and lived nearby. I was spoilt too. We’d wear branded clothing, had the latest gadgets and even had a swimming pool in the back garden! 

Both my parents are alive but unfortunately all my grandparents are now dead. I have an older brother who is settled and has just become a dad, both my mum and dad are great grandparents, and I am the favourite auntie.

My parents had a lot of differences but both were born into an environment which was a loving family home. My mum, who was adopted, was brought up with the knowledge she was chosen by my grandma and grandad Jack. They cherished her every day and, compared to my dad, they had more money to provide mum with luxuries. Grandad Jack was a keen golfer, paid for mum to have lessons and then they eventually competed in competitions together.

Grandma was more of a carer to her children but always had a very close relationship with my mum. They were more like best friends, she and my mum. I had a similar relationship with my dad and I’d say that nowadays he’s more like a best friend to me. My mum was our main carer growing up.

My grandma was a stay-at-home mum to both her children. My uncle came along in 1970 as a lovely surprise after my grandma and Jack didn’t think they could have children. Jack was the provider for his family and ran a very successful business. The irony was that Jack didn’t spend any time with his family. His down time was spent doing his own interests, playing cricket and golf. When he wasn’t playing sport, he’d either be watching it or propping up the bar. 

There were a lot of similarities between their marriage and my parents’ marriage. In the 1980s they eventually went their separate ways and Jack moved next door, where he spent the rest of his days. One night they had a big argument and Jack went off to his lady friend’s house. After he eventually came back (having spent a few nights away) he slept on the sofa in the living room, until the bungalow next door became available. They never officially got a divorce but instead just lived separately, quite literally next door!

After my grandad Jack’s death, my mum found out he was her biological father.

My dad’s family was very different to my mum’s as it was much larger. His father Tom met my grandma Enid in 1939, but didn’t marry until after the war because of the danger. They were also sensible in not starting their family until 1948, when my uncle Trevor came along. They had their first girl in 1951, second boy in 1958 and then my dad in 1962. They finally finished their family in 1966 when they had David. There were also unfortunately many miscarriages and a still birth.  Grandad Tom was a twin to another boy and he was 1 of 12 children! Grandma Enid only had one other sister.

Grandad Tom worked during the war in the Cambridge food industry. Because of this vital service, it wasn’t until later that he joined the other men in the war. After that he worked in an office on electronics near Manchester. He was hardworking and carried on well into his 70s to provide for his wife and children. 

My grandma Enid was a full time mother and part time care worker to make ends meet. In the late 1980s, while dad was in Canada with the Navy, he lost his father. Soon after that his youngest brother David sadly passed away. This was a big sudden loss but my aunt was around to support her mother. Auntie decided to move her family closer to her mother in the Cheshire village of Lymm. It also meant she could be there for grandma Enid and also allowed her to help with the care of her three children..