Life Today
- Current home
- A two-bedroom bungalow in Emsworth, bought with Alan in 2004. Margaret has lived there alone since Alan's death in 2021.
- Current daily life
- Margaret is retired. She sees Claire, Michael and the grandchildren regularly, collects Poppy from school one afternoon most weeks, meets her former colleague Pauline for lunch twice a month, reads crime novels, gardens when her knees allow it, attends a local history group and works on the Life Archive. She drives less than she once did and uses video calls more than she expected to.
The Knees
Margaret’s knee pain is diagnosed as mild osteoarthritis, leading to exercises, practical adjustments and selective acceptance of help.
The Cataract
Margaret has a cataract removed from her right eye and approaches the recovery instructions as another process to check.
After Alan
Margaret records the practical first weeks after Alan’s death without repeating the private details of his final morning.
Emsworth Now
Margaret records her present routine in Emsworth, including family visits, gardening, local history and continued work on the Life Archive.
- Children
- Claire Louise Carter, born 28 March 1986, and Michael Alan Carter, born 11 July 1989. Claire later married Simon Bennett and works as a physiotherapy assistant. Michael works in building maintenance and lives with Leanne Price.
Elliot’s First Christmas
Elliot’s first Christmas brings a new baby, Ruby’s practical objections and the family’s first Christmas after Joan’s death.
The Year of Video Calls
During the first lockdown, family visits move onto video calls with delayed speech, poor camera angles and regular contact.
Poppy on the Screen
Margaret and Alan first meet their new granddaughter Poppy through a video call during the winter lockdown.
Tuesday Collection
Margaret collects Poppy from school, hears her read and explains a childhood without tablets, mobile phones or paused television.
The Local History Group
Pauline takes Margaret to an Emsworth local history meeting where disputed dates and incomplete memories prove more interesting than the buildings.
Beginning the Archive
Margaret begins organising family dates, memories and privacy decisions into the Life Archive.