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Roberta's
diary |
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Roberta,
a soldier's mum |
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Roberta,
from Earls Barton, is the mother of a soldier who's serving in the
Gulf.
She's
keeping a diary of her thoughts and feelings during the war with
Iraq.
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Thursday,
17th April, 2003
Today
is tinged with sadness on several accounts – one is that people
in general are confused that the whole war is over when it
clearly isn’t in certain parts.
The airman are home and the ships have turned towards home
– but again no news of the soldiers coming home.
My son phoned his wife 7-10 days ago and all he could say
was that they might know a little more in three weeks time.
Someone I was in contact with over food parcels for the troops
was told by one lady, 'why are you bothering, they're all
coming home now'.
I hope that this diary has been helpful to mums, dads, wives,
etc over the past weeks and I personally will continue to
keep my candle alight until my son returns to British soil.
I also light special 24hr candles when servicemen/women are
returned to us - having fallen in the conflict. We must never
forget them and their families and friends.
I will still be promoting the wearing of the GREEN RIBBON
ON HOPE until the soldiers are home.
If anyone needs to, I can still be contacted on 01604 811795
or my private office e-mail Roberta@earlsbartoncomputers.co.uk
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Weekend
12th/13th April, 2003
Hearing
of the ships coming back home and of the airforce also returning
but my son hasn’t got any Idea as to when he will return so
I am feeling quite down I have just worked doubly hard in
my garden – cleaning out the summer house is the only way
I can get through at the moment.
Feeling
more tearful at the moment – possible reaction after all the
fighting and tensions of the past month.
Feel
really washed out finding it difficult to communicate.
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Thursday,
10th April, 2003
Got up a little latter that I wanted to as I went into BBC Northampton
to talk about the support group being held tonight. It has been
advertised in the Evening Telegraph. Also awoke to snow – how
silly snow in April.
All went well except we were late in recording and so it put
our timer out at home for recording the event however the team
are going to post it out for me. Had a busy day in the office
and then went to the meeting in the evening armed with coffee
tea, milk cups sugar biscuits etc.
Ted the Baptist minister greeted us with a nice warm welcome
having put on the fires for us. The meeting went well but was
not well attended (only one person turned up) – oh well hopefully
everyone is coping on their own with friends around them but
if anyone does get worried in the mean time me phone number
for support is 01604 - 811795
If I’m not able to answer the phone just leave me a message
and I will get back to you as soon as I Can. Finished meeting
at 8 0’clock and continued with the A.G.M. at my own church. |
Wednesday,
9th April, 2003
Boring
boring time to do the end year accounts - thought I’d watch
some gardening programme on the television at the same time
- however everything changed and the war was being covered again,
so I started to see what was happening.
I got fixed as it was so unbelievable as the Iraqi people tried
to topple the huge statue of Saddam. The way people were tying
a rope onto the statue and not being able to get the result
they wanted – the using of a pick axe on the pillar of the statue
and everyone wanting to have a go.
It was good that the Americans didn’t intervene at first and
I felt only helped in the end when they realised that people
could have been hurt by doing it wrong.
It was at one time like watching an event in London with all
the vehicles lined up in the street leading to the square. The
thing that was missing was a band.
Watching so intensely to the fall of Baghdad made me feel emotion
both for the people of Iraq and of the troops who had lost their
lives on the way.
Went to my music rehearsal even though I felt so washed out
just watching the afternoon events. People who had also watched
the television were coming up to me and saying you must be feeling
a little relieved now that the war looks as though it’s coming
to an end. That was nice.
I will only believe my son is save when I ‘m able to give him
big hug or when I hear his voice on the phone knowing he is
save in England. |
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Tuesday,
8th April, 2003
Received a letter from Nicholas in which he had drawns some
flowers for Mothering Sunday. As my son isn’t that demonstrative
it meant even more.
A very normal day – in the evening went to see my granddaughter
who was in the Gang Show and it was nice to see her taking part
in the singing and dancing.
The problem I had in the second half (by then my granddaughter
had finished) was that sailor uniforms and songs were sung -
it’s just uniforms I have a problem with at the moment.
Have be phoning round about the support meeting which is to
be on held in the Baptist church hall on Thursday at 7 pm. |
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Monday,
7th April, 2003
Didn’t sleep very well and each time I awoke I put on the TV
to see what was going on – we have lost three men and when they
said that the relatives of two hadn’t beein informed I felt
panic.
Finally got up and had lots of business to do as well and the
domestic washing and ironing to get out of the way. News of
possible find of chemical weapons - in one way I hope they are
what we are looking for and in another way I do think Basra
is rather too quiet for me. I keep thinking of the old saying
– come into my parlour said the spider to the fly (what have
the regime got planned once we are in the middle of the city?)
Dear God I do hope I’m wrong.
Had another grand sort out – this time it was my clothes. Must
get kit ready for the Italian evening (singing at methosist
church in Earls Barton). Help! - clothes are a little tight
– now feel depressed; thought I had lost more than I have –
Sort out therapy achieved went to bed. |
Send
your messages of support to Northamptonshire service personnel
and their families by going to our message
board.
Do you have a friend or relative in the Gulf? Send us your comments
by e-mailing: northamptonshire@bbc.co.uk
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