Jacob's Ladder
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When John and Janet met, they soon realised that they were the same age. The things you pick up in trivial talk. Natural instincts come when initial questions are asked. John and Janet danced the dance of courtship. They laughed together. Laughter is intimate. They laughed when they realised that they were born on the same day – minutes apart. They had been beside each other in hospital beds and, after their marriage, there was little to keep them apart.
Except death.
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They shared the same birthday, and they soon shared their lives. Born on the same day – 23 September 1899. Janet was the older woman – by twenty minutes. They had lain in adjacent hospital beds but didn’t meet until they were eighteen. Eighteen years apart. They did not want to be apart for any longer, so within the year they would be married. Never to be apart again.
Except in death.
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Jimmy was the eldest, the first born. Janet had been afraid, the fear that every soon to be mother faces; she was anxious that she would not be able to cope. In her heart, Janet was simply afraid of the pain.
The pain was terrible. All the preparations could not prepare her.
But Jimmy came and, as soon as she saw her son, Janet loved him.
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Jimmy followed in John’s footsteps. He looked like his father and followed him into his trade.
Moulded.
His build was similar too, stocky and strong. There was never a discussion. Jimmy naturally worked alongside his father and naturally continued in the silversmiths after the war was over. Jimmy had hoped his own son would continue the tradition but Jeff had plans of his own, and eventually a family of his own. Jimmy would have liked more children, especially a daughter, but it never happened.
Such is the way of life.
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Jimmy
