Memorabilia

[amberdreams]

We started sorting out some of Dad's stuff today.There's quite a lot to go through even though Mum spent years trying to get him to curb his hoarding propensities! We read some of his diaries from 1948 through to the early '60s, including the one I remembered finding some years ago, where he talked about meeting Mum and how he fell for her - so sweet! He was smitten... even wrote j'aime Marian on one entry, which is even more amusing when you see his report book from Southport Tech from when he was 16. Just look at the comment from his French teacher!! We laughed so hard when we read that today!
Sorry about this being so large but I thought you wouldn't be able to read it otherwise.

Teachers would never be allowed to be so negative these days!
For anyone interested in WWII, we also found a letter from my Granddad to Dad written when Dad was evacuated during the war. He was only sent from Liverpool to Sandbach in Cheshire, which wasn't really all that far away, and fortunately he didn't actually stay for long. I can't remember how long exactly, but I know he went home to the family pretty quick, unlike my Mum who was in Accrington for most of the war.

I love that Granddad "signs it from your old pal, daddy" after the stern talking to he's given the poor kid in the rest of the letter! Dad was only six and a half at the time!
This next one is a love letter from MUm with a bonus letter from me - I've no idea why Dad was away at this time and Mum couldn't remember either. I actually remember this stationery set with the toy stamps... though I don't recall whether I was disappointed at my First Holy Communion being not as imminent as I thought. So I'd have been about six or seven when I wrote this - and my guinea pig was expecting babies. Which I have to say, was awesome. Baby piggies are the best, as I'm sure chomaisky would agree! :D

Comments

[kalliel]

This is all so beautiful. <33 It makes me really happy that you and your mother have all of this. It's terribly endearing--and completely fascinating. Only the middle of the three pictures loaded for me, for some reason, but awwww.listen to all you are being told because that's how you will learn.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh that's weird, they are all supposed to be public and viewable... I've put the wee!me letter on my FB page if you are curious.

[sillie]

That's beautiful, and all so wonderful to have. :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I am glad he saved so much even though it gives us a lot of work to do!

[tifaching.livejournal.com]

His French sounds fine to me. I did laugh when I saw the comment on his report card. Ouch! You're right, teachers wouldn't be allowed to be so negative, but looking at the grade, they weren't wrong. :)How sweet that he wrote about meeting your mom. <3

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I remember having report cards saying must try harder... must have got that from him! LOL

[de-nugis.livejournal.com]

BTW, for those who are getting "this photo is no longer available," if you click on the space you do get to the image.

How lovely to have concrete reminders to archive your memory and history.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Oh thanks - I wonder why it's doing that?

[etrix.livejournal.com]

Those are wonderful discoveries, even though the cause is regrettable.

I'm sure you'll find many more wonderful memories hidden amongst his stuff.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I hope so, it is fun reading through all these things.

[blackrabbit42.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for sharing these pieces of your dad. I couldn't view two of the pictures (??) but enjoyed reading your notes. Still sending virtual hugs through my laptop.

((((hugs))))

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Apparently if you click on the space you can then see the image? So de_nugis says above... I can't tell because all 3 are displaying ok for me. And thanks for the hugs!

[reapertownusa.livejournal.com]

That is so fantastic that you have his letters and dairies. I wish I had more of those beautiful pieces of history from my family. It's wonderful to hear that you and your mum were able to enjoy going through them. They are so precious!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

There are some good things about being a hoarder! :D

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

Oh sweetheart this is all so very beautiful, thank you for sharing with us *hugs and loves* xxx

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

♥ ♥ ♥

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

How are you holding up hun?

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

I'm ok thanks - felt bad this morning but it wore off as the day went on.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

*hugs* It'll get simpler, not easier, but simpler.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Aye, I know.
BTW - I've made an offer on the A14 Hunter site - let me know if you want my Mark photo op.

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

My fb isn't working on the pc, bare with I'll log on my phone. ♥

[el1ie.livejournal.com]

Sometimes hoarders keep the fondest memories and what lovely things to still have. Look at you drawing even then and much better than me now! Hee!

I'm only getting the middle picture displaying, but as someone said, click on the envelope in the space and you get to the flikr page to see the photo, so all is good.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Ha ha I loved drawing, Mum's got some pics I did when I was 2 and 3. Thanks for looking :D

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I couldn't see all the pics so looked on Facebook. These are so lovely, such special mementos, thanks for sharing them with us *hugs*

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Aw thanks for checking them out - I'm not expecting lots of people to be interested really but I kind of need to post at the moment, you know?

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I understand completely, m'dear, and if it helps you keep on posting. I liked seeing it anyway, especially the non-PC French teacher's remarks!

[fufaraw]

It's so wonderful you have all these things of his.

I'm such a sucker for published journals, diaries, and letters, anyway, of famous or not-famous people. Getting a very subjective look into lives other than mine is so fascinating.

I remember clearing out some of my mom's clutter while she was still living, just elderly and no longer capable of keeping up with it. I ran across one of those little scratch pads she used to make grocery lists on. This one had all her thoughts, written every evening, on the two-week driving trip we took across the country when I was eight. It was so odd, reliving those memories, but through her eyes. She seemed like an entirely different person than "Mama"--someone I might have been friends with.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

yes, those kind of diaries suddenly open your eyes to them as people as opposed to parents, don't they! Dad's diary from 1948 reminded me very much of the ridiculous ramblings I used to write when I was 16.

[matchboximpala.livejournal.com]

It is lovely to have those pieces of your dad's history.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

It is indeed. :D