Julia’s Daughter

Julia vividly remembers watching her young daughter bent over a blue plastic bucket, sporting her pink Barbie wellington boots, flowery shorts and a bright pink t-shirt.

The little girl was besotted with the tadpoles she had even tried to put the bucket in the kitchen overnight.

“But mum, they will be safe in the kitchen” Amber had said in her most pleading of voices.

“No Amber, I don’t want to find they have developed legs overnight and they are all hopping around my kitchen in the morning” was Julia’s very firm reply.

Even at a young age, Amber had a passion for all creatures great and small.

Julia had lost track of the visits to the pet shop where Amber would spend endless hours studying the animals and firing questions at the sales assistant.

She would be engrossed in their behaviour and wished that she could take every single one of them home.

Amber’s friends attended ballet or gymnastic lessons but not Amber.

Wet weather gear and wellington boots were required for pond dipping and bird spotting, horse riding and visits to the local Community Farm.

Julia and Amber shared their little terraced house with two rabbits, a guinea pig, two gerbils and a hamster.

Amber had tried to grind Julia down to agree to a dog but as a single parent, working full time it just would not be practical.

Julia relied heavily on her parents for help and a dog would be one step too far.

“Amber tea is on the table” Julia shouted knowing full well that she would have to summons her daughter at least three times before she would make an appearance.

“Barbie boots by the back door please and wash your hands” Julia said, smiling to herself at her little girl’s tiny frame modelling wellington boots and shorts.

“Mum, I’m going to be a vet” Amber announced when she was eventually seated for tea.

“Wow that is an amazing job Amber, you are going to have to work very hard and spend lots and lots of time studying”

“I know” was Amber’s nonchalant reply.

Then within a blink of an eye the same little girl was eighteen years old and about to begin her studies to fulfil her ambition.

Amber had spent her school years focused on achieving the grades required to be accepted at Vet School.

The day had arrived for her to begin the next chapter in her life.

“Ok, are we ready?  Just check we haven’t left anything on the drive and we are off” announced Julia checking the drive again in the rear view mirror as she pulled away.

It was October but the weather was unseasonably warm so by the time they arrived at Amber’s student accommodation they both felt a little worse for wear.

“Is this it? “ Amber’s voice sounded more than a little disappointed.

She had chosen a university student house to share with four other students as opposed the student halls.

When Amber had viewed the student halls on the open day she was horrified at the thought of staying in them and promptly made a request for a university house.

They began to unload the car. Amber’s room was at the front of the house and situated next to a bathroom, which pleased her.

It was an old Victorian house with three other bedrooms, a second bathroom, galley style kitchen and an overly large basement as a recreational area.

It was in need of TLC but Julia was relieved that it was clean.

“We’ll soon make this room feel homely, pass me the curtains please” Julia said trying to sound enthusiastic as Amber had started to look more despondent as the day wore on.

Julia was determined to make the room as cosy as possible and spent the afternoon fussing until she was happy with the way it looked.

The walls were a dingy cream and the carpet a dark biscuit colour but it wasn’t thread bare, unlike the rug.

Julia lifted the rug and replaced it with a rug from home which instantly gave the room a lift.

She would put the thread bare one back when Amber moved accommodation at the end of the University term.

The matching pink curtains and bedcovers along with delicate cream and pink bed cushions brought the room alive.

Carefully Julia placed some small pictures from Amber’s bedroom at home on the mantle of the old style fireplace.

“Yes this is much better, much cosier” Julia said out loud feeling pleased with the results.

While she was busy Amber could be heard introducing herself to her housemates who all sounded very pleasant.

Later that evening they discovered a lovely Portuguese restaurant a short walk from the student house.

It was a lovely way to end an extremely exhausting day.

Julia had no inclination to drive home that evening, so she made herself a make shift bed on the floor of Amber’s room and although not the most comfortable she slept like a log.

The following day proved to be emotional, Amber was quite tearful as she waved her mother off and Julia cried almost all the way home.

Amber was a home bird she had never been happy to stay at a friend’s house overnight.

Julia had lost count the number of the times Amber had rung her.

As soon as it was time for bed Amber wanted to leave.

When Julia eventually arrived home, feeling drained from the journey her little house felt very big and very empty.

That was five years ago and now it was Graduation day.

It had been a hard five years, the course had been demanding and relentless but she had survived.

Her commitment to becoming a Vet had gained Amber a Distinction in her degree.

She secured a position in a veterinary practice which was due to commence two weeks after her Graduation.

So the little girl who had announced at the age of eight that she wanted to be a Vet had proved that she had the passion to achieve a career in veterinary science.

While growing up Julia had witnessed her care and compassion towards all animals, even the tadpoles.

There had been occasions when Julia wished she had said no to Amber’s animal requests.

Like the time she agreed for her to have two pet mice.

“They stink, “said Julia covering her nose with her hands.

“Don’t be cruel, no they don’t” Amber said in their defence.

Eventually, Julia could stick the smell no longer and took the mice back to the pet shop and Amber chose two gerbils instead.

The gerbils looked identical it was impossible to tell them apart they were just named them The Gerbs.

Now it was time for the main event. All the arrangements had been completed for Graduation.  Amber’s cap and gown had been ordered, official photographs had been arranged and after much deliberation Amber had chosen an elegant black and ivory dress which complimented her Graduation gown perfectly.

The Graduation Ceremony was taking place in an extremely grand and impressive Cathedral.

“Well mum, how do I look?”Amber asked standing in front of her mother draped in her Graduation gown.

“You look amazing, I am so proud of you” Julia said trying hard to contain her emotions.

Outside the Cathedral the sun shone and throngs of parents filled with expectations and love for their sons and daughters posed for family photographs.

The atmosphere was jubilant, lots of smiles and laughter it was a happy and lively scene.

It was time for Julia to take her seat in the Cathedral and for Amber to join the other students.

There was a sea of red and black Graduation gowns along one side of the Cathedral, such a glorious sight.

Everyone was relaxed and chatting waiting to receive the degree they had all studied so incredibly hard to obtain.

It was difficult for Julia to put into words how proud she felt of Amber, especially as she had lost her dad at such a young age.

Julia had never remarried after her husband’s death, it had been difficult but she had endured the bad times and pulled through.

She had watched Amber flourish into a confident and focused young woman.

Julia sighed, she longed for her husband to be at her side to relish this momentous occasion.

Amber made her way to the front of the Cathedral to receive her degree.

Julia could feel her eyes brimming with tears.

When Amber’s name was called she could control them no longer, the tears escaped rolling steadily down her cheeks.

Amber walked across the stage with confidence turning to look at her mother.

It was clear from her beaming smile how elated she was.

This was the most overwhelming and memorable moment of Julia’s life.

Her daughter’s student vet days were no more; she was now a Vet, soon to be in practice.

Julia was filled with immense joy and pride for the little girl who no longer wore Barbie wellington boots but wore a cap and gown, having truly fulfilled her dream.