There was a celebration in Sidmouth last weekend – Mum’s birthday … again!
We flew in from all corners – Italy, Denmark, Mocambique and Zimbabwe – and there she was, as elegant as ever, in her flat with its sweeping view down to Sidmouth and the sea.
The birth day dawned in perfect sunshine and seagulls.
It was Remembrance Sunday that day which felt right as both world wars, and several conflicts either side, had played a part in the making of ‘Mum’.
Her grandfather, a feisty, heavily decorated naval officer, known for his brilliance with gunnery, had retired from the Navy by the start of the First World War but was called back to design a gun defence system to protect London from Zeppelin attack. Her father, an Army officer, had been caught up in the Second World War and afterwards his family, as with many young families, had shared the threadbare times of an England under reconstruction.
The War over Mum spent her teens in Europe and then set off for Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where she met and married my father, a young farmer starting out with nothing but the undeveloped land he had inherited.
Soon she and the rest of us were tangled up in a new war, a civil war that crept across the country with its sights set on the isolated farmers and their families.
It was dangerous – an unpredictable time that evolved over several decades but I remember no panic or despair at home. Much of this was thanks to Mum, who, however tested or frustrated, never abandoned her post on the invisible frontline.
In 2000, the year Zimbabwe careened into another hairpin bend, Dad died and Mum had to think again. As usual she planned her path to help all of us – she returned to England and set up a base by the sea while we set off in different directions with our own families.
Last Sunday, fourteen years later, we were all back in Sidmouth to celebrate Mum’s 80th.
There were old photographs at lunch and also the chance to say thanks to this independent, determined, courageous, and intelligent lady who has kept track of us wherever we’ve been – China, Denmark, France, the Sinai, Germany, Canada … Her home is still home for all of us – children, grandchildren, dogs – at any time and in any formation.
We tried, not very successfully, to sum it all up in a ‘few words’ … and then some of us opted for an autumn swim.
If you’d been in Sidmouth that day, and peered into the wind, you’d have seen three young men – a Zimbabwean, a Dane and an Englishman – hobble and shiver over the shingles into the cold, grey evening sea.
To me the sight said more than words ever could – Granny had never wimped out of anything and clearly her genes had now found new homes.
Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2018
The Phraser 
Turning 80. Very special. Your Mum. Even more special
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Thanks Lyn! You are so right.
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Here’s wishing Diana the happiest “Happy Birthday” – we thought of you and how absolutely super for you to be surrounded by your lovely family. With our love Al and Babsxx
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Hi Al and Babs – so great to hear from you! I hope that you’re both well and that your new home feels like a good place to be. Will make sure that Mum looks in at all these comments – many, many thanks and love to you both Georgie
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What a wonderful gathering you all will have had – a perfect way to celebrate your mum’s big day. Lots of love to you all and happy birthday to Diana xx
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Hi Caroline – it was a great day and amazing that we were all there together. I’ll pass the message on to Mum – thanks for getting in touch!
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What a wonderful gathering you will all have had – a perfect way to celebrate your mum’s big day. Lots of love to you all and happy birthday to Diana xxx
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Georgie what a lovely piece on your mum and her birthday, so glad you could all celebrate her 80th together – please wish her many happy return from me. X
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Weezy hello! Thanks so much for the message – will pass on your birthday wishes to Mum. Hope you and your family are flourishing Ciaoxx
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Greetings from Jean and Shelagh in Zimbabwe! We love the piece you’ve written about Diana and her birthday celebrations. Well done Georgie, you’ve captured the essence of Diana so well and it sounded like a wonderful day at Sidmouth. Much love to you all xx
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Can’t tell you what a treat it is to hear from both of you! Thanks so much for the message – Aunt Jean you have known Mum longer than any of us and are a much-loved part of the whole jigsaw. I hope you are both well and that Zim is as lovely as I remember it at this time of year. With love from us in Napoli
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What a wonderful accolade for Diana, and so well deserved too. I admire her hugely and she has survived so much. How fantastic that you were all there with her on Sunday and I am so impressed by the swimmers! I think that Diana’s character and qualities have been carried on through her children and grandchildren! A beautifully written piece about Mum, Georgie. Much love to all the F-Ms. xxxxx
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Thanks Catherine! So good to hear from you – looking forward to seeing you in Napoli Ciaox
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What a heartfelt piece, Georgie … lovely. A massive happy birthday to Diana! Lots of love to you all … xo
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Thanks Annabel – one of an amazing group of brave women!
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