Columns - Irish Examiner

Aida Austin

Aida Austin: My daughter and husband are determined to be my caregivers

9am. I am in the car, en route to hospital, where I am to have a small lesion removed from my lower calf.

Fri, 04 Nov, 2016

I remember you and me being told to be nice to the nuns from the convent

My five siblings and I are organising a party to celebrate my mother’s 80th birthday. 

Sat, 29 Oct, 2016

I am trying to get into Vanessa’s car but first I have to find the seat

FIVE pm, London, and I’m lying on the sofa in Vanessa’s sitting room, counting tribal Afghan kilims.

Sat, 22 Oct, 2016

There is going to be no blood, sweat or tears because I am going to pace myself this time...

“You swore you’d never renovate anything again as long as you lived. You’ve been swearing that for my entire childhood.”

Sat, 15 Oct, 2016

No one saw my pyjamas falling down, but I still can’t find the Nissan

Midnight, Sunday — and I’m outside the house, looking for my book which I feel certain I left in the car.

Sat, 08 Oct, 2016

My daughter and husband are determined to be my caregivers

9am. I am in the car, en route to hospital, where I am to have a small lesion removed from my lower calf.

Sat, 01 Oct, 2016

It’s important no one family member comes off as more stupid than any other

Sunday morning. My husband is in bed. I am in the kitchen, waiting for the coffee pot to boil. I turn up the radio; I’m trying not to listen to the small voice of my conscience.

Sat, 17 Sep, 2016

Maybe, I think, just maybe tonight I’m in luck

I’M sitting at the kitchen table, staring at a blank Word Document when my husband returns from town.

Sat, 10 Sep, 2016

She’s delighted she had six children, so we’ll fill the benches at her funeral

Home, 4.30pm. Having arrived home from our three-week holiday, my husband and I are sitting on the sofa, at something of a loose end.

Sat, 03 Sep, 2016

What harm that I haven’t slept all night? I’ll find my sea-legs!

Meganisi Port, aboard the “Sophia”.

Sat, 27 Aug, 2016