My parents at this age were still both working.

My Mum part time in a shop my Dad in a Brewery.

My mums job seemed very glamorous and I’d pop in to see her after school sometimes. She was good at her job.

Both had a strong work ethics which we inherited. Sick days were virtually non existent you just got on with it.

My sister and I would desperately try to get days off school for tummy aches and headaches but we rarely were successful.

They worked hard, money was sometimes tight but we never really went without.

Apart from holidays we never ate in restaurants we sometimes had days out but we had family close so free time was spent visiting relatives.

Our holidays were modest we went to Ireland but never went abroad. There just wasn’t the money. I don’t really remember feeling like I was missing out as most of my friends were in the same boat. Maybe I did though.

Visiting relatives is something I desperately miss living away from family.

The ability to call on a family member at a drop of a hat or just pop in for a coffee and a chat.

My mum would occasionally have a cigarette but I always noticed she never inhaled and neither of them really drank.

My Dad is Irish so he’d go out and sink a few on Paddy’s Day but then be in bed recovering the day after much to my mums disgust.

Like their parents before them there were some similarities and some mistakes.

Having a roast dinner on a Sunday is a tradition I’ve continued.

I love the whole going for a walk, putting a film on a cooking a hearty dinner for the family.

I’m forever grateful to my family without them I would not be who I am today.

Thank you x