Memories

Here is the Chinese Box which I aquired at D's work mall. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be exactly the box that would hold all Grandad's "stuff." Those wee mementos that were important to him and therefore very special for us.

His leather case stands underneath which Jude & I spent a childhood wondering about the contents. It was always strictly forbidden - but I remember that we did manage to climb up high one day and found, to our delight, little brownie snapshots of our Dad from WW2, ( he must have been 19 - 22 ) small mementos of Italian Women, and quite a few truck/mobile shots from perhaps Egypt. I remember Dad being very cross that we had managed to come across the suitcase. At the time I remember wondering whether there was more to the fact that Judy & I had climbed up on a footstool to get the case...and therefore unsafe...he was very angry...much more than the incident warrented. Dad was usually never angry at us so I knew this was serious. Now that I have the small ( and insificant for some ) contents I can understand his reserve, and wanting to shield his daughters from a horrific time in his past.

I have medals and letters, and my task now, is to gather this together and put them in the Chinese Box & Dad's old Leather Case. There are also a few mementos from Mum - not much - probably the most treasured thing is a big Superman Card which Nick made for his Mama just before she died.

Underneath the leather case is an ordinary old wharehouse trunk which holds heaps of Nick & David's growing up times. Not many photos of new borne David to show Jordy ( no time for photos I suppose ) but lots for later - lots of holidays & the day to day stuff.

So the Chinese Box will serve us well and I'll have much satisfaction filling it with family mementos. It was well worth the inspection at customs but that's another story!

My other aquisition is the wonderful ' Lust en Lesen 2009 " Calendar. My DIL said it MUST be part of the sitting room - and after a bit of rearranging I am very pleased.

Liam leaves for Wellington tomorrow. He is very excited and so he can be. Celia can be very proud. Watch Out World - here comes Liam - be well - Go Do It!!!