I would like to have been married and had children

Alice 89  from East London. A retired shorthand typist and legal secretary. Never married or had children.

How are you?

Some days I have more energy than others. Sometimes when I’m with other people I feel a bit flat or overwhelmed - I like my own space.

How do you feel about marriage?

I would like to have been married and had children. I didn't notice it so much then as I do now. 

What’s your most memorable experience?

When I was 45 I went on an airplane for the first time. My parents and I went on holiday to Jersey. We had to wait at the airport for eight hours before we took off. My nerves got the better of me. It was the most frightening experience of my life.

How do you think other people see you? 

Well most of them are dead now but I think they would think I am a quiet and contented person.

What do you like about yourself?

I’m a tidy person, I don’t like mess and I have a good memory.

How do you see yourself?

I am a reliable person. I have an over active imagination and I can get very nervous and frightened during a thunderstorm. My dad was like that too. Maybe I picked it up from him. 

Where does all your energy go?

Doing the shopping and the chores.

What brings you down?

I find it very rude when people don’t return phone calls. I leave messages and then they don’t reply - it’s very frustrating.

I retired when I was 60 and was the full-time carer for my mother who was 90. I hated being tied to the house and when I went out to the shops my mother would time me. She was a difficult woman and very hard work. That brought me down. 

What are your dreams?

To carry on being able to get up, get myself dressed and get to Sainsbury's to do my shopping. I sometimes wish I was younger then I could have helped children with their learning.

How do you best express yourself?

Through writing my diaries.

Who or what inspires you?

I love music; Frank Sinatra, Gershwin, Sondheim. My music teacher at school was mean and would rap my knuckles during lessons. Consequently, I stopped playing the piano. 

What do you think about life?

There are far too many people from other countries that live here now. England is a good country to live in, it needs to be well looked after. 

What would you like to leave for the next generation?

A war free world, food and water for everyone.