you could mend anything mom couldn`t you? armed with your trusty hammer you could tame any beast. how we laughed at you whenever you said to dad - `hit it with the hammer` and you meant it. you`d laugh, really laugh as you were in on the joke and you were in your elements. the same when you mentioned `my graham` all 3 of them would roll their eyes and share in the merriment. you were so funny. when we had our little tourer on hardy`s site just down the road from your bungalow dad told us that he had to sit on you to stop you from coming up to see us every 5 minutes! you could have done mom, we told him we wouldn't have minded if you did. golden times and golden days you were so happy. you were the tidiest person ever mom. dust and rust were not tolerated in your household! you would give us a drink on a coaster, but pick up the coaster to wipe the table before you put it down. any dirty pots were quickly despatched by the other half of the super clean duo - dad. before we`d even finished our pudding dad would have sorted it all out - he was the ultimate cleaning partner. I remember cleaning for hours before one of your visits. I hadn`t been married long and was desperate to impress. I`d been through everything - it was all shining like a new pin. job done I thought relax and take a breath! horror of horrors - you sat down leaned back and looked up I don't know how but you found a cobweb in the light fitting and took great delight in telling me so! couldn`t believe it I had failed I was crushed! my mom and I still laugh about that one. also another Christmas that you came to stay. this time I cleaned for days no kidding. you had me on a roll I was swept away in the occasion I`d never been so clean and me with a toddler roaming the house - unheard of! I had a sudden hit of realisation when on my knees cleaning under the fridge - yes I know that doesn`t sound like me! all of a sudden I realised that it was Christmas eve 10 pm what was I doing! I calmly told you the rest would have to wait - I was an accomplished daughter-in-law by this stage so felt I could rebel! your face not happy you were so disappointed in me. I can see your face now! for years I thought I was a big disappointment to you that others were deemed to be better at everything than me. then years later someone told me that she was fed up of hearing from you about how great and perfect I was, that you told her she`d never match up to me? what a shock I said I had no idea that you thought I was good at anything. perhaps it was your way of keeping us both on our out toes. you were cleverer than both of us mom. how I miss the disagreements, the advice and you mom. the last few years I`ve really missed you. respect. you are a great lady and you mom made a wonderful mother-in-law. I have memories I will treasure for ever. there`s not many people you can say lived a life like you and dad and I`m not talking about money or material things. I mean that genuinely helped others even if it meant going without things yourselves. you both did that and more. you would always help anyone in need - it could be advice, time or encouragement or something more. you cared about everyone and supported us all over the years and shared your wisdom and time with us again and again. you lived your lives as true salvationists I don`t think I can pay a better tribute than that. we loved you both dearly and talk about you every day. usually with a smile. thank you for being there and being such a big and happy part of our lives. you made a difference and our lives are enriched by having known you and proud that we could say we are doris and len`s son, daughter-in-law and grandsons. constantly loved and remembered always. paul, Lesley, Christopher and Nicholas.xxxx