Goodbye, Mum. As Autumn gathers, the first skein of geese flew overhead today, loosely pointing south in their ever-changing and noisy formation. More will follow. Winter will be close behind their departure. So it is with us. But, like the seasons, there will be a spring for us, too. You will be with Dad, and we will come to terms with having no family magnet in the south-east, as we are scattered to the far edges of the country. We will gather one last time, all of us together, on Monday to see you, and say goodbye. Goodbye, Mum.