I first met Pamela when I took up my first teaching post in Scotland. We were both responsible for classes of children who had ‘special needs.’  Pamela already had a few years of experience in the field and she was always ready and willing to help me. Apart from being ever grateful for her professional help, my fondest memories are of the times we spent out of the classroom…the times we spent laughing. 


After school, when we played badminton with opponents who took the game seriously, we were left bent double. The more we tried to control ourselves and “behave” the more the tears fell. Luckily our opponents did not abandon us!


We joined school trips to Belgium and France, pointing out to the Head Teacher that the cost of the trip was “a bit steep.” He assured us he couldn’t make it cheaper and that we would be surprised to know that parents will pay any amount of money to be free of their teenage children for a week! 


We had barely arrived at the hotel in Ostende when screams could be heard outside. One of our children, overexcited, had fallen over and in between screaming with pain, was pointing to his arm which was lying at a very strange angle. The receptionist called an ambulance and Pamela and I accompanied the boy to hospital. We were escorted at great speed directly to the Xray room  and the boy was transferred onto a bed. At this point Pamela was looking over my shoulder as we watched the staff at work. I felt Pamela leave the room but I stayed until I was told I should wait outside. 


When I stepped out into the corridor Pamela was nowhere to be seen. Seconds later I realised she was sitting on the floor. I thought, of course, there are no seats!  Actually, she had slid down the wall in a faint brought on by the sight of the boy on the Xray table.  Again we were able to laugh out loud after the initial shock. This was the opening episode of our first school trip but it was just the beginning of many episodes that followed.


Our shared sense of fun sowed the seeds of friendship. Pamela loved singing I loved Drama and we brought that love to our work. With other friends we formed a group and sang at local venues. I would hang on the coat tails of the others, who could sing, and Pamela told me later it was because I “wasn’t confident with pitch.” She was honest in the kindest possible way and even thirty years later, she persevered in helping me to learn to sing! Forty years later when I retired she encouraged me to “join the dance” and I tried my feet at reels and jigs. This often brought back the hysterical laughter of the “badminton years.” She was patient and kind and always able to laugh with me. I know that she was passionate and serious about music and dancing and had huge respect for the musicians and dancers she worked with.


Although we went our separate ways nearly fifty years ago, fate brought us back at various times over the years and whether it was ten months or twenty years, between our meetings, we did meet again and we settled into that familiar place that old friends find it easy to be. I shall miss sharing our stories and I shall miss our laughing together.  
Rest in peace, Pamela, dear friend.


Margaret