Monday, January 14, 2013

LOOKING BACK

Hi Mum

Here we are going through yet another extremely hot summer which yours truly does not and never has enjoyed.  Phil is also finding it more difficult to cope with the heat now he is older.  We do what we can when we can and thanks to the airconditioning which has decided to behave itself and work for us, we are managing to keep cool.

People in our eastern states are faring much worse with horrible bushfires and loss of property but no loss of life directly from fires, although one poor Victorian fireman did die when in Tasmania helping the fire service there.  He was 61 and poor man didn't make it back home.  Some of the fires in NSW had been started by lightning but others had been deliberately lit.  I still can't get my head around the fact that anyone, regardless of their age, could go out and deliberately light a fire which in turn could cause the loss of property or, worse still, loss of life including animals.

Thinking of more pleasant things this afternoon I picked up your book again.  I do this every so often just to refresh my memory about the events of your life and it never fails to amaze me what a wonderful woman you were from a very early age.

I was reading about how you met and married dad and your experiences in London during WW1.  You almost make it sound like fun and yet I know how frightened you and others must have been at times with the bombing that took place.

I've always been so sorry that dad broke off all connection with his family and friends in England and had no communication with any of them once you arrived in Australia.  My curiosity has always been aroused as to why but it is one conundrum that will never be answered.  Oh, how I hate that but I don't think you ever really told me what had happened either.  Perhaps you didn't really know.  Reading between the lines of your book I'd say he had let somebody down rather badly and was perhaps thought rather less of by those near to him.  I always knew him as a wonderful father so will never think very bad thoughts of him.

I was reading excerpts of your book out to Phil, mainly about the Sugar Commission and the importance of sugar to the war effort during WW1 and it made us begin to talk about wars and the dreadful things that happen to people because of the conflict involved.  There are still millions in the world today involved in some type of conflict whether it be political or religious or both and I always feel so helpless at not being able to do anything about people hating and killing each other.  Life to me is so precious, especially now I am aged, that I find it hard to understand why.  There's another why I can't answer so with that thought it's time I said au revoir.

Talk again soon
   xxxxx


8 comments:

  1. It's an ancient question, "why can't people just get along?". There is more than enough on the planet for everyone but not enough people who want to share.

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    1. You are so right Delores but then look at the number of dysfunctional families and if they can't get along what chance has the world in general. I must admit I do fear for my grandchildren and in particular my great-grandchildren.

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  2. And, pardon my crudity - fighting for peace (which is often the reason given) is like fornicating for virginity. There are far too many wars, and each and every death causes grief. Wars are expensive, and at least one of the combatants is a poor country where money spent on food and education would achieve wonderful things. I just don't understand it.

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  3. I don't think anyone could have put it better EC. I mentioned to Phil what you said and he agreed you have it in a nutshell.
    One can't help wondering why the poorer countries forget their starving thousands and spend money on armaments and to what end? I am very disappointed in mankind and the world in general right now.

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  4. Oh I am thinking of the poor people going through these fires and the fireman dying is terrible. I do hope rains come. I have a very good friend in Tasmania and it is very bad and scary,
    I dropped over from Delores @afeatherednest and I really think you are incredibly blessed to have books by your Mom what a wonderful thing. B

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  5. Hi again Buttons...I so do agree with you about the fires and now a man has died on the mainland as well. We in WA had our share of devastating fires last summer (2012) and are keeping fingers crossed that we get through the next couple of hot months safely. Thanks again for popping in.

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  6. Hi Mimisie, I love your blog, have noted that you were unsure about whether you would or not continue and keep up with your blog. Please do, I for one enjoy reading it. Rae xx

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  7. Hi Rae....thank you for paying me a visit here. I am glad you enjoy my mindless wanderings. We oldies don't keep up with things in the modern world so with me it's what you see is just me being me. xx

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