Many things, silly, inconsequential or strange memories remind us of parents who are no longer with us. For me, every time I hear Tatties and Mince, I’m reminded of my mother. She loved a plate of Tatties and Mince, or was it Mince and Tatties, who doesn’t. The picture in my mind of the most used kitchen utensil of the 80s, an old broken tattie masher always puts a smile on my face. Absolutely nothing was used in moderation to make mash in our house, well apart from money. Like others it was otfen a choice between eating and heating. So if you are lucky to still have your loved ones still with you, take the call, don’t put off until tomorrow, what you can do today.

Oor Maw

Is it no funny whit reminds ye of yer maw, oors was offa wee and offa braw

When I say wee, I mean 5 fit feck awe, aye its funny whit reminds ye of yer maw

Loved her mince and tatties, mash made wae an ole broken masher that constantly got stuck in the drawer

Every hoose has a stuck utensil drawer, that always reminds me of oor maw

Made up words like champed egg in a cup, anither of her faves an awe, said aye a lot, when frankly she’d be better aff saying naw

Brout pincils hame fae the bookies, tae help us tae draw, on wallpaper that didn’t quite stick tae the waw

Fed us as well as she could, an oan a Monday book an awe, while she lived affa mince and tatties or toast and jam as far as a saw

Passed oan a skin irritation that makes oor ears raw, aye its funny whit reminds ye of yer maw

Wis brave enough tae lea a neandertal, wae a suitcase full of fresh air and virtually feck awe

The last bruise gave a camel a final straw, quite strong for a wee yin, wae her back against a waw

Twenty No.6 for yer birthday was always a draw, wrapped aroon a paraffin heater most christmases wae snaw

Dig money, that wis nae bother ataw, back in my poaket by Sunday and probably mare anaw.

Picked me up, in the ded of the nicht, after a three ring phone call, eventually cutting ma coard tae make me mature and gro

Seeing the future me, I guess is whit she saw, its funny whit reminds ye of yer maw.

I’ll always remember the final phone call, the day she hid her final fall

In a hospital bed, curled up like a baw, lifes cycle closing in, her closing curtain call

Aye its offa funny whit reminds ye of yer maw

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R G Robb © 2021