Mum used to say: “Paul, put your shorts on. Get some air around your legs. Your Dad does. Why don’t you put your shorts on?”

I rarely did as she told me. She loved me completely. Shorts or not. Dad did too. When he was ill towards the end of his life he wore them almost all the time. Summer and winter.

Today on my walk I wear shorts. I feel mum smile. She’s with Dad and although I can’t see them I know thst they are with me.

three sheep
by a drystone wall
I take off my shirt

Paul Conneally