In My Own Words

I've been busy sifting through old memories and family photographs. It all started with the arrival of this gift from my son and daughter-in-law. 'In My Grandma’s Words' is the story of my life as I remember it. I thought it was going to be difficult, but once I began jotting things down it became easier. It’s amazing how one memory triggers another and having prompts throughout the book was a great help.I returned the completed book to my family during a holiday in Malaysia at the end of last year (see previous post here), but before I pack away the 'photos and memories, I though it would be nice to share some of them with you.

I hope you agree!!

My favourite picture of my dad taken in 1935

This is another photo of dad with two friends; dad is wearing a jacket and tie. Mum used to say she fell in love with him because he was always so smartly dressed. He gave up smoking when I was a little girl but by then he had already damaged his lungs.

Mum and dad were married at The Holy Trinity Church in Walton, Buckinghamshire by the Rev. Brian Hession.

An old, yellowing newspaper clipping described their wedding like this;

One of the prettiest during the Whitsuntide holidays.  The bride, who was given away by her father wore a dress of ankle-length white satin with a veil and halo of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of pink and white carnations and was attended by her matron of honour who wore an ankle-length white dress with a floral design in blue, green and yellow, a white picture hat, and carried a bouquet of yellow iris. The two bridesmaids wore ankle-length blue satin dresses, and had wreaths of pink and white roses and forget-me-not in their hair. They carried posies of blue corn-flowers.

In the first of the three photos (above) mum and dad and my brother and sister are visiting the Bekonscot model village in Buckinghamshire. I'm guessing the year was 1947 as it was before I was born. I think the other two were taken in the 60s, but I can’t be sure.

These are three of my favourite photographs. The top one was taken on the Isle of Wight. Dad went for a job interview, and we all went along for the day. My sister, brother and I really hoped he would get the job, mainly because there was a swimming pool in the grounds. We also loved this big friendly farm dog.  I have no recollection of what happened, but we didn't live on the island, so I can only assume he didn't get the job.

If you take a close look at the second picture, you might just be able to see the kitten on my knee and a bird (possibly a crow) on the step. We usually had at least one injured bird living with us. The one I remember most was a Jackdaw. He came back for visits long after he was well and always left with a souvenir. He would fly off to the woods with his stolen booty. It amused us to think of a nest full of shiny pens and spoons and other bits and pieces. The nest must be long gone but somewhere in those woods is a little collection of pilfered objects.  

My first job on leaving school was working in a general haberdasher and gent’s outfitters four miles from home. I loved cycling to and from work during the summer but not in the winter when it was often dark and cold. 

Close up of bird and kitten

Terry and I on our wedding day in June 1970. My sister was matron-of-honour, and her daughter Paula was a bridesmaid. There was a second little bridesmaid, but she was too shy to be in the photographs.

   

Terry and I with our son Steven.

A day trip to London (Terry is behind the camera). We took Kelly the beagle with us, and he loved it! The two little dogs at the bottom are Patch and Albe our much-loved and much missed King Charles Spaniels.

Our son and daughter-in-law were married in Fiji. Terry was best man and is standing to the left of Steven. I'm on the far right. Karen and Steven wore thongs (flip-flops) so we all did the same. 

My memory book ended with this picture of Terry and I with our two little granddaughters in Australia, but I can’t end this post

without mentioning our two grown-up grandsons from our son’s first marriage. Kip and Tris lived in Australia until recently but have now returned to the UK.  This is a 'photo taken on Christmas day 2013. We were thrilled when the boys decided to spend it with us.

This poem by Robert Louis Stevenson perfectly sums up memories of my own childhood. I didn't leave home in a coach but in a flurry of petticoats and confetti!

The coach is at the door at last;

The eager children, mounting fast

And kissing hands, in chorus sing:

Good-bye, good-bye to everything!

To house and garden, field and lawn,

The meadow-gates we swung upon,

To pump and stable, tree and swing,

Good-bye, good-bye, to everything!

And fare you well for evermore,

O ladder at the hayloft door,

O hayloft where the cobwebs cling,

Good-bye, good-bye, to everything!

Crack goes the whip, and off we go;

The trees and houses smaller grow;

Last, round the woody turn we swing:

Good-by, good-bye, to everything!

Have you written down your memories? Or is there someone in your past you wish you knew more about?