Treasured Memories

Witnessing my mother, Janet’s battle with vascular dementia for 10 years was heart-breaking but it taught me to appreciate each moment, slow down and stop to smell the roses. Mum was so positive, loving, always putting others before her own needs, inspiring people to see their own glorious inner light. I miss her every day but still feel her huge love and wisdom guiding and protecting me. I’m so grateful for everything mum taught me. I do still sometimes become overwhelmed by grief, but that’s because I loved her so much, as I can no longer lose myself in her wonderful cuddles nor bask in the light from her sparkling eyes and glorious smile. Mum was a teacher and guided others to understand themselves better through personality analysis, raising money for charity by giving talks on numerology, hand analysis and graphology. I interviewed mum three years before dementia claimed her memories and life. Capturing family history, humorous anecdotes and listening to mum’s inspiring words, was very cathartic, and helped ease my pain and grief. It’s a lovely legacy for Janet’s grandchildren to treasure.

When I was presenting and reporting for ITV Meridian, I gained the last interview with Sir Norman Wisdom for a series I created about the history of Pinewood Studios. It was a real privilege to spend time with this much loved Hollywood star and his family, and following Norman’s death from Alzheimer’s disease, this interview was broadcast on ITN and around the world. During the same series, I created a ‘Carry On … feature’, interviewing producer, Peter Rogers, and it’s greatly appreciated by film fans.