It’s Embarrassing—Everyone Else Has Already Tidied Up Their Garden, While Ours Is Still an Eyesore. We Would Do It Ourselves, But My Arthritis Is Acting Up and Mum’s Got a Bad Back

Its a bit embarrassing, really. Everyone else in the village has finished clearing their gardens, but ours still stands out like a sore thumb. Left to our own devices, we might have managed, but my arthritis has been acting up, and Mothers thrown her back out.

I went to see Michael, fiddling with my cap in my hands. Michael, could you and the family help your mother and me dig up the potatoes? Feels shameful, all neat gardens around, and ours a right mess. Wed do it ourselves, but my joints are stiff and your mums not much better.

Michael heaved his boots on and grumbled. Why on earth do you plant so many every year? Youre hardly starving. Cant help today, DadI have to head into town.

I felt the urge to snap back but simply waved my hand and left. Outside, I grabbed the pitchfork and hobbled down the path to the potato plot.

Elizabeth, her bad back bundled in a thick shawl, hurried after me.

So, Nicholas do you think the kids will come around today? she asked hopefully.

I barked, Fat chance of that. Get a bucket and start gathering spuds. We had five children and none can spare a mo to help their parents. Move along, old girl. Lets see how much we can get done by sundown.

Meanwhile, Michaels wife, Emily, was giving him an earful.

What sort of people are you? Everything for yourselves, never lending a hand to your parents. Its shameful, really. If mine were alive, Id have flown over in an instant.

Michael put an arm around her. Shes right. Doesnt look good, does it? Were not far away, but we seldom visit. Tell you what, Ill take time off work. You call everyone else.

Emily sat down with the phone and her little notebook. What do you mean, you cant help? Work? We all have work; take a day off. Honest to God, your parents are wearing themselves out while you lot are too lazy to lend a hand. No one to watch the kids? Bring them along. Better to be outdoors than sat on the sofa glued to a screen. Now, I expect to see you all, no excuses!

She coaxed and cajoled everyone, a bit of sweet talk here, a hint of a threat there.

By this time, my legs were giving out and I took a seat to catch my breath. Looks like well be digging up spuds till Christmas at this rate, Lizzie. Did we really need to plant so many? Youre always worrying the kids might not have enough. Where are all those children of yours now? Wont even lift a finger to help. Mind you, back in our day, wed all muck in togetherhad the potatoes dug out before lunchtime.

Elizabeth cocked an ear. Nick, can you hear someone pulling up outside? Go on, have a look.

I limped over to the gate and at once heard laughter and shouting. Elizabeth, clutching her back, made her way over too.

Good heavens! Look at all these people. The children and the grandchildrentheyve all turned up, she beamed.

Right then, Dad, Michael barked. Show us where you keep the spades, forks, and buckets!”

Trying to hide the tears in my eyes, I gruffly replied, Everythings where its always been. Forgotten already?

And off we went. Someone digging, someone gathering, another carting potatoes to dry under the shed. Elizabeth was sent inside for a sit-down.

The daughters-in-law rolled up their sleeves, planning to feed the entire crowd a proper feast before long. Elizabeth, though, couldnt stay sitting, popping up here and there to direct proceedingscant leave these things unsupervised, after all.

Out in the garden, laughter filled the air.

Remember when you chucked a potato at my head when we were kids, Michael? joked Simon. Heres payback!

I grumbled with mock annoyance, Here you go, playing about. You lot are all pushing forty and still carry on like schoolboys.

Finally, the job was done. The garden was cleared, the potato haul neatly stacked, and the leftover vines piled up. We all headed inside for a well-deserved bite.

We gathered around the big table, stories from childhood tumbling out as laughter rang around the room. I caught Elizabeth dabbing at her eyes. Good children, really. Our neighbours walked past, stopping to greet us politely, some reminiscing quietly about their own family, who rarely came to visit now.

Later, Emily asked Michael quietly, What did you tell your boss?

He squeezed her shoulder. Told the truththe parents needed help. They let me off at once, said helping your folks is a sacred duty.

In all the busy rush of daily life, remember your parents. They may be too proud to ask or insist you visit, but just having their children near them is always the greatest happiness. Thats something Ill never forget.