In The Past

This week for https://fromcavewalls.wordpress.com/2022/10/20/throwback-thursday-60-hello-goodbye/ is all about family.

1. Did you live close by or far away from close family or grandparents? My dad was fifty when I was born, and my mum thirty-eight. I was a late baby, a little bit of an accident, and Mum thought she was going through her menopause. I never knew my grandparents. They all died before I was born. Mum had many sisters (Molly, Rene, Ella, Lil). I was closer to aunty Rene, and Aunty Molly.

2. How often did you see or visit extended family? Mum saw aunty Molly a few times a week. Sandra, my cousin, was about her age, and growing up we were close. Aunty Rene we saw every celebration. My grandmother held a card school, so it was a natural progression they played poker. All the adults played cards, while us kids watched from the stairs.

3. Was the coming together cheerful and celebrated in some way? It was great to be around family. Especially Christmas. Christmas day – in the evening – we went round there. Aunty Rene always had open house. We would eat, well (cakes, sandwiches, pies, cheese and pineapple on sticks) We would then play charades. Dad would always drink a little too much, but Mum wouldn’t let him know about it until we got home.

4. Which relative did you enjoy seeing the most? Why? It is between aunty Rene, and aunty Molly. Although we weren’t allowed to touch aunty Rene’s ornaments, but everywhere else we were allowed to go. There was a field at the back of her house, and we would play there.

5. Were there relatives you dreaded visiting? If so, why? Not really.

6. If you were the visitor, was the trip short and easy or was it a journey? It was an easy journey.

7. Were your visits short or extended? If extended visits, where did you sleep? Bed, sofa bed, couch, floor? Mostly day trips rather than weekly visits.

8. When it came time to leave, was it difficult to say goodbye? No, because we knew we were going to see each other in a few days.

9. How often do you visit extended family now? Most of my extended family have passed away. I am now of that generation where I am one of the oldest rather than the youngest. I live a two-hour journey away from my family, so it is difficult to see them. I would love to see them more.

10. If you could see a relative who is no longer alive, who would it be? Why? So many, I can’t choose. If anyone, Dad, because I was only seventeen when he died.