Page 292 - She's One Crazy Lady!

I went to“
“For the benefit of our Yearbook, how would you describe your story?” they asked. “What title would you give to your story for the WI to promote it?”
an elderly men’s Fireside Group. They, seven of them, had just had a hot lunch. It was warm, they were comfy, I was talking when I realised they
The words came straight out: “One Very Special Story!” It had to be, for it was a special story. It could have been so, so many other titles. The ladies nodded and smiled. I was accepted.
(“Hmm”. I hear you say. “This is not what’s on the cover!” Yes, I changed it – although it still is a very special story!)
All the talks I gave were memorable, as every audience was different, but there were some I will always remember...
were all asleep”
A talk at Wellingborough Ladies Inner Wheel. Having had a lovely meal with them, I was happily in full flow when one of the ladies disappeared for what I guessed was a comfort break. Seconds later another lady followed her, then another, and another... Was it my talk? Why were they all walking out? Trying to concentrate, one of the ladies rushed back in to say the first lady had fainted! It turned out ‘Jilla’ did not like to hear about operations and there was me chatting away quite merrily, and quite graphically, about the breast reconstruction procedure! Thankfully Jilla recovered quickly and was soon to become a much-valued member – and sadly, a breast cancer statistic herself. This incident taught me to ask group members in the future if they were comfortable with me talking about medical procedures.
A talk I gave at Weston Favell. Once again I was happily telling my story when I couldn’t help but notice a lady sitting bolt upright in a chair on the front row, facing me – her eyes closed and her face very white. (There were a times when a few dropped off – the best being when Marilyn and I went to an elderly men’s Fireside Group. They, seven of them, had just had a hot lunch. It was warm, they were comfy, I was talking when I realised they were all asleep... we’ve all done it haven’t we? Think back to those lecture days at college or a boring meeting!) Anyway, back to this lady. All the time I was talking – but was worried because she really did not look well and still hadn’t moved. I had to stop and as politely as I could made the ladies in charge aware that I thought this lady was unwell. (I thought she’d died!) An ambulance was called and she, thankfully, after a cup of tea, rallied round saying she’d had a funny turn. (It didn’t stop the rest of us eating cake!)
I must mention the ladies of the ‘Corby Get-Set-Goers’ here. This large group of amazing ladies took part in most of our walks and always made team hats to wear – the handmade pink mortar boards at our second walk being totally awesome! They invited us over to their monthly get-togethers in Corby – every year – to fill them in with all our latest news and to chat with them! We loved going to see them and we always had so much fun – always prepared for Pat’s customary joke! Over the years they raised thousands of pounds and became marvellous friends and great supporters – ‘Kath’ winning the award for the oldest walker for many years!
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One of the joys of being a speaker is that you are occasionally asked
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