離開英國滿五年了，除了一年半前回去看過二老之外，其他時間都是以電話問候。平均每個月會去電聊一聊彼此的近況，有時忙些就二至三個月一定會去電一次，免得老人家重演二、三年前因為我太久沒去電，而以為我生病了的擔心

約莫是年初的時候，薇媽很難過的告訴我，他們愈來愈老了，沒辦法再照顧51號和那個美麗的大花園了，所以今年勢必要把51號賣掉，換個小一點的房子

大約五月中旬時，薇媽告訴我，房子真的已經放上廣告了，他們也在看新房子的階段，就等買主確認了交屋

後來，大約七月時接到薇媽寄來的信和禮物(一隻手掌大的布青娃，上頭寫著”kiss me, I’m a prince”)，她說房子已經確定買主了，她和衛爹已經看好房子也確定搬家的日期，就等大家法律文件簽定

我在接到信時打電話去，她好難過也很捨不得51號這個住了近五六十年的房子。覺得新家不是一個新的開始而是一個結束，說那裡將會是她或是衛爹一個人先走時，另一個人得孤單面對的終點

我聴了好難過，也很不捨，只能安慰她也許那個新家會帶給她不同的想法

雖然這兩年來她一直告訴我，隨著她和衛爹的年紀增長，他們終有一天會無法再保有51號，但今年初時再次聴到這個訊息，我也了解無法再拖下去了，今年大概是最後一年了

於是從那時起，我就想替他們做一本相簿，紀錄我們幾個在英國時的美好回憶送他們。以51號及薇媽衛爹和我為主，愛美麗、糖果妹和凱特妹為次的相本。讓他們知道，他們及51號，帶了多少的愛、關懷以及美好的回憶給我們這些異鄉的遊子(會儘快將相本組合給大家看)

我在他們搬家前一天打電話去關心，衛爹告訴我薇媽在八月初時摔了一跤，摔傷了髖部動了手術打了鋼釘正在醫院。搬家後還未有電話只能先給我住址，直到上週五接到薇媽的信才稍為安了心，信裡說了大家的近況以及新的電話號碼。

我今晚打了電話去，老人家很喜歡那個相本，電話裡一直謝謝我，提到那相本對他們的意義。我說”I’m so glad you like it”, 她和衛爹分別回應我一模一樣的話 ”like it?? We love it so much”

心裡覺得很安慰，因為在決定做這本相簿時很猶豫，怕讓老人家更難過，因為我們和房子都不在了。但和薇媽通電話時告訴我，她好愛這本相簿，裡頭那些我們拍的照片，以及大家寫在上頭的話。雖然有一點點難過，但很感謝我替她做了一個回憶。也讓他們知道，原來他們帶給我們這些多美好。

薇媽常寫信和寄明信片給我，但因為很久沒告訴大家他們的近況了，且也因為搬了家，所以將信po上來給跟我一樣關心他們的大家看。

以下是薇媽10/1寫來的信，我會刪掉一些關於家庭其他成員的內容，其它則保留不動

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Dear Carol, Emily and Candy, Kate

Thank you to all of you for the lovely book that you send us, as I looked through all the pages I shed quite a few tears. There were so many shots of no 51 and in the garden with all the Spring flowers.

I miss no 51 very much and I’m trying to think in a forward positive way,
this house does not have the character and feeling of 51,
all the houses in the street are the same.
We are not as good in health now and money is running out,
selling no 51 made us some extra money.
We will be able to help the girls out as they are all struggling financially.
As you know Carol our beautiful garden at no 51 was the result of a lot of work,
we hardly ever sat down in the garden. We now have a courtyard just outside the kitchen,
which will be great in the summer if we ever do get the sun!

I just have to get some flowers in the new garden.
When I looked at the photographs of the daffodils at no 51,
I felt very sad but this house should be another beginning,
with effort I will try to make it another 51.

Your book reminded me that a house is not your own,
it is shared with love to all that visit and I’m so glad you felt as you did with us.
We felt you were our own daughters and we are so pleased to have known you and shared good times.

Before I left no 51 just four days to come have in the middle of all the packing,
I fell in the hall and fractured my hip.
I had to go into hospital and have surgery –
the fracture was pinned and I’m now walking “freely”around the house.
Recovery is slaw but I’m getting there.
I left hospital and came straight to this house so no time to grieve for 51.
Girls had to help David to move in, bless the girls they worked so hard.
I came out of hospital the day after we moved from no 51.
A very dramatic arrival at an new home.

(一大段其他家人的近況，一段與我熟識舊鄰喪夫的事，省略)

一段寫Vicky(近年與他們同住的中國學生的事)，由於一年半前去英國住在51號有相處幾天，所以薇媽都會讓我知道她的煩惱，但在此先省略，薇媽在這段最後一句寫：Vicky was with us for 2 years but it was never the same as it was with all of you.

Your parcel arrived safely to our new address.
I don’t know what X’mas will be like this year.
The girls for our Golden Wedding treated us to a week in Prague Eastern Europe in Dec.
I go back to hospital to see the consultant in Nov and hope to be cleaved to travel.
David and I went to York for a couple of days for his birthday.
I’m not doing any courses or choir this Winter and I miss everything.
I will be ok when I can drive again!

Soon I shell be able to work again on projects
but my “craft room” is still full of boxes!
All the books have to be unpacked.
Friends are visiting which is helping.

You are able to stay if you come to England,
we have four bedrooms though it’s a smaller house.

Autumn is approaching fast and the weather this year has really showed the effects of climate change.
The floods were terrible and Nottingham had a mini tornado last week,
several roofs take off and the bus depot lost its roof –
luckily all the buses had left the depot as it happened at 6:30 am.

Two little girls have moved into no 51.
Mark is a head teacher, his wife Shine is primary teacher.
The girls will love the garden at no 51.

We love you and miss you. You will always remain in our hearts.

Love Vivienne.