tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post2922757519600001509..comments2023-06-28T22:58:28.247+10:00Comments on Sixth In Line: My mother's storyElisabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015624747225433940noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-20774754845316336652014-03-10T04:33:31.645+11:002014-03-10T04:33:31.645+11:00Lump in throat. Can't speak.Lump in throat. Can't speak. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-1559957157796787982014-03-10T03:02:35.378+11:002014-03-10T03:02:35.378+11:00I have been working out the histories of some char...I have been working out the histories of some characters who would be of my parents and then grandparents age for a story. I was born in 51. They did go through so many more devastating times than our generation (so far).<br />Two World Wars, a global depression. These were escaped by so few. Not like today where there are a lot of bad things that happen, but the majority (okay: maybe more affluent majority) only really read or hear of the bad stuff in the news. <br />Anthony Ducehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17476865809734682418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-2143068221042757452014-03-10T01:43:57.731+11:002014-03-10T01:43:57.731+11:00I think it used to annoy my parents when I said I ...I think it used to annoy my parents when I said I was starving because I have never starved a day in my life and rarely have I even gone hungry for any length of time unless I was ill and the hunger then was a good sign, an indication that I was on the mend. My parents both came from big families with easily a dozen kids in each family—needless to say I can’t remember the precise ratio—and they were dirt poor. They never made a meal of the past when talking about it but it affected them and my dad in particular swore that his kids would never do without like he had and so you can imagine how it irritated him whenever I said I was starving but it was just hyperbole. There was always food on the table. It wasn’t always to my taste—I was something of a fussy eater—but there was always food. My parents were both from Lancashire in the north of England so what we were served was not what my peers typically got—I never tasted haggis until I was a grown man—but it was every bit as unhealthy. Her speciality—and no one has ever been able to best her—was mince and dumplings, suet dumplings. Over the years Carrie has made a number of valiant attempts but she can’t compete with my idealised memories. What she presents me with is always tasty enough but since she’s always aiming to watch my diet it’s never quite right.<br /><br />My mother was a cheery soul but I’m not sure she was an optimist. She might’ve been once upon a time but life had kicked that out of her. Too many disappointments, including me. Unlike you I was the firstborn and she’d waited over twenty years for me. My dad blamed the war for that. Lack of good food. Once the war was over and they started eating better then Mum fell pregnant. I’ve no idea if there’s any truth in what he says. My dad’s logic was often flawed. He reasoned that the existence of the Ten Commandments was proof in itself of God’s existence: it was a perfect law and could not therefore be the product of imperfect minds. I never argued with him. Not about stuff like that.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28133718.post-91002900930239125762014-03-09T13:11:43.100+11:002014-03-09T13:11:43.100+11:00I am currently not working and have not had any mo...I am currently not working and have not had any money go into my account now for almost a month. We have very little food in the house and though we are eating less than usual I am content. Why? Because the last few days the Universe is sending me messages like this and I realize how much I have. Thanks for being a part of the message.<br /><br />The bottom picture of your sister is absolutely precious. I am sure it brought your mother comfort over the years. Birdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03479872783727855901noreply@blogger.com