Nobody knows what goes on behind any family’s closed doors. We are given a glimpse of Baroness Thatcher’s family life today in this Andrew Pierce’s article where he paints a distant relationship with her children, twins Carol and Mark, and little contact with her grandchildren. Increasingly frail; he describes a sad scenario that is probably all too familiar for other older folk too.
Surrounded by family photos and a lifetime of memories, Lady Thatcher is said to have been “remarkably generous” to both Carol and Mark with financial handouts – remember the £265,000 cheque she paid for Mark’s release from a South African prison in 2004 for his involvement in a failed coup in Equatorial Guinea?
They are both described as only “occasional” visitors to her home, and neither of them spent last Christmas with her. Sadly, it is said she rarely sees her two grandchildren who live in Texas. Her constant companions are reportedly her two devoted carers and her police protection officers (why does she still need them?) However, we can all take comfort from the fact that she does, unsurprisingly, have a small and devoted group of friends who visit her for lunch or early evening drinks.
I have no idea how often Lady Thatcher sees Carol and Mark (I’m sure it is not as bad as the Mail article makes out, surely not!) and the contact she has with grandchildren Michael, 21, and Amanda 17, who live in Texas. I just hope that her grandchildren particularly make the effort to speak to her frequently, that they realise how precious time is now to share her amazing memories. My two sons are the same age as them and I include their grandparents in our lives as much as possible as I believe it is enriching both ways, and that is why I wanted to write this post. The message is the same for all grandchildren and grandparents to communicate more and enjoy each others company.
Do you remember Lady Thatcher’s unforgettable words, “We have become a grandmother” when Michael was born! Lady Thatcher is an icon, though I appreciate that this may not be the case for today’s teenagers who hero worship Lady Gaga instead.
Regardless of this, surely her grandchildren would love a few weeks in London this summer to enjoy her company before her health deteriorates even further -Â with or without their father. Family is family, and often with complications caused by divorce. I just hope they don’t leave it too late…
I know only too well the complications of split familes .. I have not seen my eldest grandson (age 8) for over a year nearly two I think ,, he lives in Scotland with his mum, he used to come down but now doesn’t want to,, some sort of seperation problem .. and I only see the other two ( youngest sons children( 6 and 4) ,, now and again)grandchildren , and I am forgotten unless its handy. the mothers of these grandkids .. don’t seem to think sometimes.
I do see my youngest grandaughter (age 2and a bit) more,..
Anne, I am so sorry to learn this. You are such a decent kind person and I know how much they would love your company. Don’t ever give up on them. One day when they are old enough they will be able to make their own choices, like Lady Thatcher’s grandchildren should be able to right now, and they will choose to be with you.
Hi Ellee , thanks for the lovely words… but you know it is more common in this day and age .. it is actually part of how life is now …. Oh I don’t give up on them at all ,but I do have to live my life too!