Last week I couldn’t get to London because of the after effects of dental surgery. However mum had her regular, weekly visit from my brother plus from niece and her grandson in law and her great grandson. She really thrives on those contacts even though they are at a distance and through the barrier of a window. Today I spent a really “happy hour” chatting with mum about the past, the present and the rather uncertain future.

Talks ranged from Chelsea (her team) and Man Utd making it through to the Champions League to the death of actress Olivia de Havilland. There were snippets about staff and residents in the home (mum is a pretty good judge of character). We discussed family and friends and the talk that daughter gave last night on the subject of the UN report on antisemitism in which daughter played a major role. Mum gets pleasure from all her grandchildren and great grandchildren and never “plays favourites”. She was particularly touched by a visit from her oldest great grandson last week. “When he left,” she told me, “he said – Grandma I really love you”. It’s confusing because all the great grandchildren call her grandma and NOT great grandma. Her reward for being a wonderful mum, grandma and great grandma is the love she receives from three generations.