Tea, toast and the Monday Club
The loveliest thing happened. There was an exhibition of photography by Ruby Nixon and Outside Arts showcasing women who had done things in their communities in Staffordshire Moorlands. I was so touched to have been nominated and included.
Anyway, it was the last day of the exhibition. My daughter Martha who has Williams Syndrome said she wanted to go and see it. We walked in and there was an adults special needs group happening alongside. Teas, coffees, clients, carers. We looked at the photos of all the inspiring women. We headed to the door to leave and I heard the faintest voice. A whisper. So shy. A woman with Downs Syndrome was pointing at our Martha and so faintly I saw her almost mouth the word “Martha.”
Now, we’re loud people. ME, MARTHA, DARREN. Our voices always BOOM. We’re so loud sometimes that my imposter syndrome rolls its own eyes when we enter a room and it was so noisy with us and the throng of people that I saw the lady with DS’s face fall, she looked back to her hands and the table. I walked over and touched her shoulder gently so she’d know I was talking to her and quietly so she wasn’t frightened I asked “Hello, do you know our Martha?” She glanced up. She didn’t speak but her face lifted.
Her carer smiled, “Sarah* will know your Martha from the Monday Club.” Martha took over the conversation and talked to Sarah then. Sarah didn’t answer but she was smiling when we left and it made my day.
It was great to see the other women in the exhibition. Martha liked seeing her mum in the exhibition, but I liked seeing Sarah with her group having tea and toast. I liked that the moment with her seems to sum up the efforts of the women exhibited on the walls. Like we all want to fight for community and we all look to recognise the value in the people around us.
I reckon that if you notice beyond the noise sometimes you can see the quietest joy happening right there in front of you, and if that isn’t winning the whole bloody world and worth sticking in a fancy frame on a fancy pants wall in a gallery somewhere I don’t know what is.
*Sarah’s not Sarah’s real name. I changed it because of safe guarding.
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X Deb
