I have always been a lover of life. Yes, it’s thrown many bad things at me and said: “here, deal with that!” But, my love affair with life has never ended or been anywhere near ending. I could just ‘like’ life but, no, I have always adored it, and will carry on doing so until my ‘sell by date’ comes along.
The other day I was thinking about my life and reliving some memories. I tried to remember what my first ever memories of life were that included my mother. A few memories came to the forefront of my mind.
The memory I am sharing with you today is extraordinary because it includes three wonderful ladies who I will never forget. So, let me take you back to a day I can remember and tell you what it means to me.
I’m sat on the floor in the huge living room of our house. In front of me is a big high dark wooden table and, on top of the table, I can just make out the brightly coloured yellow truck I had been given that day. The colour fascinated me and became my favourite colour up until about twenty years ago when blue took over.
Sat at one end of the table, to my right, is the first of these ladies, my Grandmother, Nana Wallington. She looks down at me and smiles. She has thick black rimmed spectacles which make her eyes look huge. She’s wearing a green ‘pork pie’ style hat, which has two red cherries stuck to the side and is dressed in a velvet green two-piece jacket and skirt.
Underneath the jacket, I can see a cream cardigan which is helping her keep warm. She wears some white pearls around her neck. Her lips are painted a bright red, and she has a pair of flat, black shoes and beige coloured stockings on. She’s quite a chubby lady and adores me because I am her first grandchild.
To my left is the kitchen. In there I can see the back of the second of these special ladies, Mum. She’s busy peeling sprouts, and I wonder why she makes a little cross on the bottom of each sprout with the knife. I only know she is doing this because my Grandmother has told her to remember to ‘cross the sprouts’ at the base.
I can see lots of steam coming off various pots boiling away on the stove, and the house is smelling of ‘roast dinner’.
Mum is wearing a green flowery dress and a new pair of slippers, which are tartan green and have cream coloured fur inside of them. She talks to my Grandmother about how long it will be before the men come back from the pub.
Behind me, I can hear a baby stir. It’s the third of these special ladies in my life, my baby sister, Jayne. I look behind me. Over in the corner sits a small, artificial, christmas tree lit up by colourful Victorian looking lanterns. I love looking at the red, green, blue and yellow bright lights. The tree is on a small table to prevent me getting my hands on the chocolates which hang from some of its branches. There are no gifts under the tree because they’ve all been opened; most of which are scattered across the living room floor.
Jayne starts to cry, and my Grandmother gets up and takes a peek inside the carry-cot while my mother continues to peel sprouts. Besides me, I notice a few selection boxes, one of which is opened. On the front of each selection box is a picture of Father Christmas in his sleigh, which is being pulled by some reindeer over some snowy roofs and chimney pots of houses.
Pictures of the various chocolate bars and sweets inside the box are displayed on the front of each box. To my Grandmother’s dismay, I’ve eaten most of the contents of the opened box. She tells mum that I won’t be wanting to eat my Christmas dinner!
Upon the ceiling are pinned two colourful paper bells; one just above me and the other down the far end of the room. When taken down, unclipped, and closed up, they both look like the shape of a boot, the type my mother would wear when going out. When taking them down, my Father would always say how the shape reminds him of a country called Italy, and that one day he would like to take us all there for a holiday.
My Grandmother and Mum continue to talk while I play with the toys that had been delivered the night before. Mum eventually comes into the room with two small glasses of sherry and hands one to my Grandmother. Even though I am just coming up to the age of five, I already know that these three special people are going to be the three most important ladies in my life.
The date is 25th December 1966.
***
In Memory Of Gwladys Elizabeth Hill, Who Sadly Passed Away On 15th September, 2015
I’ll Never Ever Forget You Mum
© 2015 Copyright-All rights reserved-hughsviewsandnews.com.
A beautiful post, Hugh.
Thank you, Robbie.
Hugh this is wonderful, such beautiful memories 💜💜
I’m so pleased to have shared them all with you on my blog, Willow. It was definitely worth republishing this post again.
Yes Hugh posts like that are always worth the reblog 💜
Hugh, this is a gorgeous tribute to familial love, but especially to your Mother.
Thanks, Rob. I’m glad I gave it another chance by republishing it.
I actually remember reading this most beautiful tribute Hugh ❤
Thanks for reading it again, Debby. I hope you enjoyed International Woman’s Day.
I did. Thank you. ❤
What beautiful memories Hugh! So clear and bright with lovely sentiments. You were loved!!
Thank you, Debbie. That being my first early memory, I’m surprised by how much I remembered. I guess it was made possible because of my love for the time of year it was set.
A lovely tribute, Hugh. I haven’t read this before so I am glad you have re-posted it.
It felt perfect reposting it for International Woman’s Day, Mary. Plus, of course, it’s a great way to bring back posts that not all followers may have had the chance to read.
That’s a wonderful tribute to three fine ladies in your life Hugh. May you always treasure those special memories you have memorialized in this post.
Thank you, Linda. This first memory of my life will stay with me forever.
Even more enjoyable the second time around!
Thank you. Probably because it gave me the chance to get rid of a lot of mistakes in the original post.
What a lovely tribute to the important ladies in your life and beautiful memories too
Thank you, Sam. I’m glad you enjoyed reading some of my memories.
Wonderful memories, Hugh. Thanks for sharing them.
You’re welcome, Dan.
A beautiful post, Hugh, and one that befits sharing again today to mark International Women’s Day.
Thank you, Clive. Yes, I thought so too.
I’m following you because you made me cry in that wonderful way. All my senses were triggered. Thank you !
Wow, I’m so pleased my writing triggered these emotions in you, Shareen. That’s a huge compliment from you – thank you so much.
Magic. You made magic .
Now you are making me cry 😂 What another huge compliment.
Let’s just agree your words & memories are worth cherishing💕
What a wonderful memory to share. I lost my mom this year too and as hard as it is I am thankful for all the wonderful memories of have of her and the rest of my family.
I’m so sorry to hear that you also lost your mom this year, Nancy. The memories certainly do help at times like this.
A cross on the sprouts..I still do that, passed down from my mum and her mum….tradition and memories and it’s those memories which will see you through those dark days..we never forget but learn to live with and memories are wonderful. So sorry to hear your sad news….
Carol, thank you for your kind words. I don’t ‘cross’ sprouts anymore but that is only because I don’t do the cooking in our house.
Memories are indeed very precious, especially at times like this.
And what a beautiful ode to your mum. My thoughts are with you Hugh and we’re all sending you love as you heal after such a significant loss xx
Thanks very much Sacha. Your words are very much appreciated. xx
Your mom looks like a fun sort of person to hang out with! I was also a first grandchild and for a while the only girl thus foo-fooed over even though I was a tomboy!
She loved fun and was such a sociable person, Jan. She was always at her best when she was around other people. That’s why she was a Publican for many years. She loved the job and was heartbroken when ill health forced her to have to give being a publican up.
I would never have thought you were a tomboy.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom, grandmother and sister. And I love seeing the picture of you when you were younger. I’m sorry that you have recently lost your mom but glad that you have these memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you very much. Your kind words are very much appreciated. I found the photo in mum’s house (along with many others). I’ve still got many more to go through. Some will probably end up here on my blog.
Reblogged this on ronovanwrites and commented:
Here is my #ThankfulThursday post and why I help on Hugh’s blog at times. Sure, if you look a the photo of him from days gone by we look almost like we could be brothers, but it’s the heart of this man that makes people thankful to know him.
This post explains why Hugh was absent for a time.
I apricate the reblog very much, Ronovan. And yes, I do agree that we could almost be brothers.
Thank you very much.
I’m really sorry to hear about your mum. It’s clear from the way you write about her that she meant a lot to you.
I’m also astounded by how vividly you remembered this day. There’s so much detail there. I often feel like I can’t remember anything before I turned 10. It’s nice that you have such lovely memories to help you through what must be a very difficult time.
Thanks for sharing them with us.
Stacey, thank you so very much for your lovely comments.
I think I can remember the details so well because Christmas has always been my favourite part of the year. Mum loved the festive season as well.
It has been a difficult time, but the support I have received here on WordPress has been overwhelming and has helped me get through it so much. I can’t thank you people enough.
I’m glad you are back and am very sorry for your loss. Your tribute was riveting in its fine detail and feeling. Take care.
Thank you very much Janice. It’s great to be back and writing again.
Hm, I think you should get that moustache back.
Well they are making a come back (so I hear). However, I don’t think I’ll be growing one…just yet.
Oh, dear, my dear Hugh. My deepest, deepest condolences on your mum’s passing. This was a beautiful recollection, absolutely stunning remembrance of your mum and grandmother (and little sister, too). If there’s anything I can do from afar, don’t hesitate to let me know . . . in the meantime, healing wishes to you and yours. Your loss is felt acutely in me, too.
Thank you for your kind words, Leigh. I’ve had so many offers of “if there is anything I can do” and I do appreciate all of them every much. Even without having met many people face to face on here, the offers of support have been overwhelming. I’m finding great comfort in returning to my writing and to the many bloggers on here.
That’s so great to hear, Hugh. I hope that peace and comfort continue to surround you, this week and beyond. As you know, you are very (be)loved! 🙂
And so all becomes clear… Welcome back, Hugh. I think you can tell from the previous comments that you’ve been missed. The relief that you are okay is tinged with sadness for your loss.
Great memories here that capture a moment in time, and show that your writing will help you – and the rest of us.
Thanks so much, Graeme. Such lovely words from you, especially the last line. 🙂 I’m building up my writing plans, so there will be lots from me over the coming months.
Lovely reading your memories Hugh.
Deepest Sympathy to you and your family.
Thank you very much Claudette.
xx
Reblogged this on Suzie Speaks and commented:
i was very moved by this beautiful post by Hugh, dedicated in memory of his beloved mother, who sadly passed away last month – lots of love Hugh, thinking of you x
Thanks so much Suzie. xx
So sorry to hear this, Hugh. My sympathy and condolences. You wrote a beautiful tribute, and your mother would be very pleased and proud.
Thank you so much, Noelle.
I am sorry for your loss, Hugh. You mum would have loved this.
Yes, I’m sure she would. I only wish I could have read it to her. However, I’m sure she’s already read it (that’s what I like to think).
And pestering other folks about it. “Look what my boy wrote!”
Very sorry for your loss Hugh. This was a lovely tribute. xo
Thank you so much Debby. xx
A beautiful tribute to the special women in your life and to commemorate the passing of your mom. My condolences and blessings for your family during this time. Glad you are back to the blogosphere!
Thank you very much Terri. It’s good to be back.
So sorry for your loss, she lives on in your memories and your stories ❤
She does indeed. Thank you for your kind words.
Ah Hugh… this is such a lovely tribute. I’m sorry for your loss. Mega hugs my friend.
Thank you Teagan. xx
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mum, Hugh, I really feel for you. Given your lengthy departure from blogging I guessed that something monumental had happened. Your wonderful tribute to your mum and the other two ladies in your life really reflects just how much you love them and how much they all mean to you. Take care, hugs to you, and condolences to all your family. Nice to have you back, I have missed you. Marje x
Thank you so much Marje. It’s really good to be back and I know that mum would have wanted me to get back to my writing straight away, so here I am.
xx
She sounds like a wonderful mum, lovely pic of you with her, in the days of manly moustaches!! My hubby used to have one those back in the day too! xx
They seem to be making a come back Marje, although I won’t be growing mine back. That picture is how I want to remember her. Unfortunately, Dementia took the latter part of her life away.
That sounds like a good move! That’s so sad, Hugh, my grandmother also had dementia, as did my aunt, so I know where you’re coming from. Hugs. Marje x
Hello Hugh. I thought this was a really lovely piece of writing, and a wonderful tribute to three women in your life. I also want to pass on my condolences for your loss – I’m so very sorry, and I know this is a time when words just don’t convey the depth of emotion. Sending good wishes to you and your family xx
Thank you very much Helen, I really appreciate your very kind words. I’m easing myself back into blogging. It’s very good to be back.
It’s good to see you, Hugh xx