A Baby Boomer's Journey

Matron told them that mother was still sleeping and perhaps they should wait until later in the day when she may be more alert? Taking Matron's advice they decided to let her sleep and would return later. Perhaps by then she would feel more like company!

The two of them decided to take the bus into the city of York. Joan loved this town so much; it was full of history and charm. As their bus drove under the old Roman arches Joan felt happy knowing she was going to spend the day in a town that was full of so much history.

The Romans had at some point in history ruled York. During the past ten years they had been excavating a site, hoping to find Roman ruins. Their hard work was not without reward! Indeed a roman village had been discovered, it would attract many tourists from all over the world to see such a remarkable find.

The local people were very excited to have to such an important part of history discovered in their own back yard. It was a cold morning as the two hurried to look for a café where they could enjoy morning coffee. One particular café that Joan loved so much was "Betty's." One could smell the bakery a few blocks away! Betty's was a café that she had loved to visit when she lived in Harrogate. It had often been quite difficult to obtain a table, as there were usually lines of people stretched from outside the door to the street beyond because it was so popular.

The women were lucky that there was not a long line on this particular day. After the hostess had seated them at a table a young woman came to take their order. She wore a black dress, black stockings and shoes, with a very crisp white apron and small hat to match. "What can I get for you today Madam?" she asked, while looking straight at Joan. At which Joan wasted no time making her response, having already planned what she would indulge herself in, while she had the opportunity....

Soon they were drinking hot coffee out of a silver coffee pot with cream and sugar bowl to match. Indulging themselves in toasted teacakes; a special Yorkshire tradition. Joan was beginning to think if she kept eating like this then she would not fit into her clothes by the time she got back to the United States. As they ate and drank both were happy to enjoy each other's company.

It was too early to return to the nursing home so they left the café, heading towards the direction of the department stores. Joan was thrilled to be shopping at "Marks & Spencer's," which had been her favorite store when she had lived in England.

For a moment the sadness of the previous day was gone. Joan bounced from aisle to aisle, picking up things to take back to America. It was difficult to decide which things to leave and which to take... carrying all that she would have liked was certainly going to be a problem.... The two of them were totally exhausted by 2 p.m. so they stopped for lunch at another café in order to revive themselves from their shopping spree! This time "Tea," was the drink of choice... that was accompanied by a "Scotch egg salad," followed by gooseberry tart for dessert.

They arrived back at the nursing home only to discover that Mother had been through a very difficult day. Joan tried to make conversation with her but it was obvious that Mother's mind was in a place where Joan could not reach.

A nurse came to tell them that Mrs. Owens doctor had been in to see her and he was of the opinion that she was deteriorating as each day passed. Joan felt so sad to see her mother this way. The one consolation she had was that she knew she had made the right decision in returning to Yorkshire.