Memories are made of these

By Esther

Wed, 11 Apr 2012
  • 1673 reads
6 comments
 

Dear Dad,
My story is done as best as it can be but some I have left out you know! I’ve just realized I have never written a letter to you before. I was just eight and three quarters when you died and as I have said earlier it was sudden. Although it’s taken me an extraordinary length of time to know who I really am, and to recognize the good and do what I can to change the bad. I want to be a good listener, but enthusiasm sees me jumping in, especially when I am with people I don’t know, or feel uncomfortable with. I try so hard to listen, but sadly sometimes to my shame I still fail. You never really got to know me as a person, but I will always remember your love, dedication, strength always being there for us all and solid in our lives.
My love never died when you died, instead I think it grew stronger, although how I so wanted to have just one photograph of you to support that love and those memories, but for such a long time there was nothing. Now I have found your family and how wonderful that is. I still seek that family photo of us all taken by the Daily Mirror, the only one in existence; if only I could find that but it’s there somewhere! What did you think of Joe, I wonder, or of the hatred that for so many years I held in my bitter heart until eventually I was able to let that despair go. I will never know why the letters I sent to Nana Coventry were never posted, but now I know she thought and spoke of us all with love and concern. I have talked about you and mum so proudly, and recognize even more now as a mum, and a new very proud grandparent of little Erin Olivia, some of the challenges you faced. I think I can speak for all of your family spread so far and wide, how very proud we are of you. We may not always understand one another, but remain united when we think of you.

Esther looked across at her mum and dad’s typewriters nestling close to each other in the corner of her office, and felt a warm glow. Perhaps it’s not the hand that you are dealt in life, but how you play the cards that really matters. Although the body eventually crumples and decays, love, memories and family remain to create their own rainbows in the sky. God Bless you Laura and James, and all those that are loved and cared for wherever they may happen to be. Esther happily strolled out of her front door to re-join the rest of her family into a more complete world, now knowing what mattered was the future as well as the past.

Certificate U
Story
Memories are made of this
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by jolono on
Just lovely Esther. Another enjoyable read.

 

Submitted by Esther on
Thank you jolono

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Good morning Esther, you have shown that time and experience is a great healer and whatever life throws at us, our family is so important. I'm so happy for you, that you have got to know a bit more about your dad. Before my dad died, he had finished compiling a family tree, but had only managed to go back as far as the early 1800s. It sounds like this is something that perhaps you might be interested in doing for your story, it's amazing what you can learn about those of your past and can be very engrossing. Anyway good luck with your story and again I have very much enjoyed reading. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Esther on
Thank you for all the comments/encouragement I have received whilst writing. Yes Jenny I think I have learnt so much now about my past and have such pride now. One of the positive things I did, as a way of fighting back from a very uncomfortable, even dark place, was to begin interviewing local people as a record/celebration of local history. It took me about six years from start to finish interviewing over fifty people from all walks of live. I also gathered fantastic photographs. I self published this called entitled Memories of Finedon. This book had three print runs. I sold over fifteen hundred books; the people I interviewed I gave a copy to. I must truthfully tell you that I wouldn't have taken on such a long and solitary task had I not lost the connection of my paternal roots for decades. I am proud to know that in my own way I have left a record of other peoples lives; this I think will become mored important as out decades move on. Also, from this work, a dear friend of mine continued my work by recording the lives of casualties from both world wars. We formed a small committee and got funding to produce these books; which were very well received. I have been interviewed several times by Radio Northampton. I have also taken to the Podium at NCC because I was furious about local cuts and how these will have a devastating affect on vulnerable people. I have found the courage; that I didn't think I had, to make a difference and to stand firm. I am still working on discovering more about my past as well as being the best person I can be. Thank you everyone. By the way I do think both self-publishing as well as Kindle are other ways of moving forward with regards to writing. My mum married my dad. My dad died and was replaced by really a sad shell. My mum sadly died in her fifties; yet they left a small part of the bigger picture in life; so their heritage very much lives on I think. Memories are made of this have ended; I now need to return to my story, or should I say our story, edit and then look for a publisher or publish myself. Once again thank you.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
You are more than welcome Esther. What an absolutely fascinating story in your reply. I was amazed at how hard you've worked, thankyou so much for letting me know. I think this is a challenge, that not many people would have taken on, so I admire your courage a lot. Again good luck. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Esther on
Morning Jenny I am busy structuring my complete story....but will keep an eye on this site.