My Dad!
Hi everyone,
Callum was going to blog today to answer all your comments and update you, but I've sneaked in. Callum and James will be back next week.
Today is a special day: my Dad would have been 100 years old today. He was born on 7 May 1909, in Essex, just to the north east of London. His father came from Essex, but his mother was Welsh: I often wonder how they met, because in those days people didn't travel very far - how did a poor young woman from Wales end up on the other side of the country? When my Dad was still quite young, the First World War broke out and his father joined the Royal Flying Corps as a mechanic (you might remember I mentioned my grandfather in an earlier blog). My grandmother and the 3 children (my Dad, his older brother and younger sister) all moved back to Wales to live with my grandmother's family in a small town called Penmaenmawr. My father loved the countryside and rambling, and I think this love of the outdoors probably started during his youth in Wales*. In fact, my parents met in the 1950's through a rambling club. They both belonged to different branches of the same club and the groups would meet occasionally for a joint ramble in the countryside around London.
My Dad had a wonderful sense of direction: I'm sure he wouldn't have thought much of satellite navigation systems: he would have stuck to his trusty maps. Actually, I inherited his love of maps: I'd much rather look at a map and find my own way than have an electronic voice telling me what to do. Just think about all the other amazing innovations that have happened in the last 100 years: the computer, the internet, man walking on the moon, the microwave, DVDs, CDs, rock and roll...the list goes on. What would be your favourite invention of the last 100 years?
After the First World War, the family moved back and my Dad went out to work, as he was the main breadwinner for the family (both his older brother and father had died). During the Second World War, he worked as a fireman in London, which was a hard and dangerous job.
He lived with his sister and her family not far from where I live now and seems to have been a confirmed bachelor - until he met my Mum that is!
Although I was still quite young when he died, I have wonderful memories of him. I was a real "Daddy's girl" and probably a bit spoilt ;-).
One memory that still makes me laugh is from one Bonfire Night (5th November).
In those days, most people bought their own fireworks and set them off in the back garden. We were sharing fireworks with some neighbours and my dad and I were getting really excited. We must have had cake for tea, because we were in the living room and on the table there were two big tin lids. My Dad picked them up and started using them as cymbals, banging them together over his head. Suddenly there was a loud crash and the room went dark. Can you guess what had happened? In his enthusiasm, he had banged the tin lids together.....right on the light bulb hanging from the ceiling and smashed it! My Mum was not pleased.
If he had still been around today, he would have received a card from the Queen. Anyone who is 100 qualifies for a card which says "I am pleased to know that you are celebrating your 100th birthday. I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion. Elizabeth R". If you reach the age of 105 you get another card and after that you get a card every year. Even the Queen Mother (our Queen's mother) received one of these cards when she reached 100!
Take care
Carrie
Welsh: someone born in Wales is Welsh. Welsh is also the language
to break out: to start
rambling: walking for pleasure in the countryside
sense of direction: knowing which way to go without using a compass or a map
breadwinner: a person who earns money to feed and care for their family
confirmed bachelor: a man that no-one expects to get married
*Penmaenmawr is close to Snowdonia where Kaz went walking earlier this year.
Comments
Oh Carry! what a nice blog and how many wonderful memories you have of your dad. I also lost my father when I was quite young (11 years old) but I have the best memories of him. I've got a sister who is older than me but I was a Daddy's girl too. I'll check for your photos tomorrow. By the way, I think that the best invention was the computer because it helps us with our work and the internet because it allows all of us to be communicated. I wouldn't have met you if it weren't for the internet :-) Thank you for brighten my day. See you, Cris
Hi Carrie! Do you know 8th of May is a parents’ day in Korea. I had spoken to my mum on the phone and congratulated her for the parents’ day just I opened staff blog. What a coincidence you wrote about your late dad in today’s blog. Your late dad sounded to be so similar to my late dad. My father was full of excitement for as long as I can remember, even though he didn’t have much. In my mum’s view, He was the most naughty command of his seven children, who always encouraged his children to go out and explore new world. I sometimes ask myself that what kind of a mother to be remembered by my child. Thanks!!!!
Hi Carrie, I enjoyed a lot your happy memories of Bonfire Night. I've can life like in real time the crash din and therefore the turmoil of your laughs and the happy anger (more or less)of your mother. It leads my mind to my father and my memories with him. Once we went to make a 'pirate breakfast' with roasted meat. See you.
Hi Carrie. How much do you remember about your parents? I have to say that I can only remember few things about my parents even if I have tried all the way to memorize each detail. Frankly to say, I can hardly remember their feature without a photogragh. They are still alive, living together with my brother and his wife and a lovely grandchild. Any way, I am lucky because of this. As time passing by, I have to meet different people from different place, change job and working place, and live apart from my family. Thinking of my parents, I have been feeling shame and sad all the time. May be you want to ask why. My good excuse will be to raise my family. Yes, in order to maintain my family's life, I have to leave you mom. But, is this a life, a family's life? Of course not. I have earned enough money to live on. I can even find a job with lower salary but by taking this job I can live with my family. That's why I have been feeling shame. It's not because of something that I can not manage. Hope you can understand. Thank you.
Hi, Carrie. I have a weakness for real stories from the past years, and the black & white photos. I loved your story.
It was too nice to hear about your Dady 's life ! so keep going the nice job . take care and bye
Hi Carrie! it's me again,and i must say your mum in the picture looks glamorus, and I bet she had been a womon of great beauty in her youth.I totally understand why your daddy had been a confirmed bachelor for so long time.Your father certainly had a great taste in a lady.Have a good day!!!
Hello Carrie, I am an English learner from Japan.I felt so much your love to your father . I think Fathers tend to spoil their daughters , as so does my father (^^) and I love my father !
Hello Carrie! Your dad life´s story is really moving and lovely. Besides, your pics always bring a special touch to your writing :-). All the best, Ana Paula.
Hi Carry, thanks for sharing your personal story and experience - it is really touching, to have someone share the real-life story , not faked/PRéd/polished/ compendum of words having no life in it, no feelings, no sense that Internet is full of nowadays. Best regards.
Thank you, Carrie, for sharing your dearest memories with us. I have just come across these blogs, and am amazed at your pics and all the details you have provided us with. It makes every word of yours so vivid! I am at a loss for words. Congrats! Much love. Inés
Dear Carrie! Thank you for this lovely entry. I liked reading it and looking at the photos, as always. I wonder if you say: “Ah, those blissful days of childhood!”? Take care,
Hi again Carrie, Guess what? I forgot to enter to see your pictures. They are lovely. You were a sweet girl and your dad looks very proud of you. Have a nice day. Cris
Hi Carrie Thanks for sharing your memories with us. I was a little busy with my studies so just read your message about your dad today. I don't know if you would still check comments on your message but I will write it anyway. I was so fascinated about your memories of your dad and all the pictures particularly your mum's picture. You seem to have great memories of your dad. Luckily, my parents are alive and I miss them a lot. But my dad lost his parents when he was very young. He does not remember his mother but he remembers his father a little. We don't have any photographs of them but everyboday says how amazing my grandparents were. I wish we had pictures of them to at least know how they looked like. So coming back to your dad, you are lucky that you have pictures and beautiful memories of him. I would end my message by saying that your parents' pictures look amazing and keep your memories alive all the time. Take care Rabail UK
Hi Carrie, Your memories touched my heart. No doubt, there is no substitute of Mother-Father's Love in this world. Thank you.
Hi Carrie, i'm really happy to reading your entry. Whatever hasn't made me to be deep-lying emotions indeed yet ! You always proud of "daddy" and me too. The childhood of memories about your dad, your family 'll be alive during the time...forever and never. if having the afterlife we hope to become "daddy's girl"... Take care
Hi carrie. Do you know what does your name mean in our native language? Raw mango which is sweet and sour. Your blog is full of sweet and sour memories just like your name.
Hi Carrie. It's lovely to read you story. Thank you.
