Have You Forgotten Anything?

Today is my mother’s birthday, albeit a heavenly one, as it has been for the last twelve years.

It doesn’t stop me thinking of her and remembering how I would hightail across Manchester to spend the day with her.

Mum and Dad had a second family. They adopted children who were only slightly younger than mine. At the same time, they continued to foster babies and toddlers.

One year, I travelled over with my birthday card and gifts. Mum sat in her usual place on the sofa. “Happy birthday, Mum,” I said, kissing her cheek and handing over goodies, including flowers.

“He’s forgotten,” she said referring to Dad. A fact that she found highly amusing. “Don’t say anything. Let’s see how long it takes for the penny to drop.”

I placed the flowers in a vase for her and gave them pride of place. Dad noticed but said nothing as he continued his day.

After lunch, I couldn’t let it go on any longer. When Dad announced he was nipping to shop, I ran after him.

“Dad, what day is it?”

He looked blank, thought for a moment and said, “Saturday, why?”

“Anything else?” I asked. He had no clue. “Dad, why do you think I’m here with flowers?”

Now my Dad was a bright, intelligent man. Despite his advancing years, he was as astute as ever. But clearly not this time. The look on his face when I told him it was Mum’s birthday was a gem I remember to this day. His expression of horror was quickly followed by a barrage of expletives filled the air.

Mum and I heard him arrive back half an hour later. A lot of activity and rustling went on behind the closed lounge door, until eventually it opened.

A line of children entered all carrying gifts, flowers, chocolates, cards and toiletries. Mum accepted them with good grace and Dad was full of blubbering apologies.

Have you ever forgotten something important and get into such trouble for it?