Memory Triggers

[annie0000]

Just polishing the boys shoes for school tomorrow and it brought such a vivid memory of my Dad, who died 7 years ago, polishing all the kids shoes on a Sunday night by the coal fire - putting on the polish, warming them by the fire and rubbing them up to a good shine. There were 7 of us and money was really tight, though we never really realised it at the time, but we never failed to turn up at school with our polished shoes and my mum made all our clothes. She hated when the boys got older as she had to fit zips in their trousers - she couldn't get away with just putting elastic in the waist anymore.

Although larger families were more common then, they were determined that no-one could say that we were scruffy, dirty or smelly.

It makes me so proud of them when I think back about how well they did for us and they were only 21 when they got married and started a family.

What brings back vivid memories for you or what are you most proud of your parents for?

[cazzz1975]

the smell of an autumn morning always brings back memories of me as a child kicking all the leaves on the way home from school

[annie0000]

cazz - Autumn is my favourite season - i love the smells and the cool air.

[weeal]

smell of cigars reminds me of childhood christmases, dad only ever had a cigar then

[tiggerblue10]

The smell of vinyl records brings back memories of my childhood in the late 70's.

[annie0000]

It seems like smell is the key to memories then.

[rabbitygirl]

I have been bagging and removing coal from a cellar for a few days.

My dad was a coalman for years.

The smell of coal again has revived many memories of him and my childhood.

[annie0000]

rabbity - I always loved it when the coal man came round - they always seemed so cheery and strong and I couldn't believe how dirty their faces were.

[puss_boots]

I never had a real good relashionship with my mother she was very domineering but my dad was a star he would always put a pound coin in my hand and put his fingers to his lips to say.....don't tell. When I think of him this memory is what comes to mind.

[annie0000]

puss- it's the little things that are important when you are a child. You must be young though, when I was a kid I would get 2 bob! (10 pence)

[puss_boots]

No I am not young really this happened after I was an adult my childhood memories are vague there were a lot of arguements.......nuff said.

[annie0000]

Sorry puss - at least your Dad got the chance to show you he cared even if it was when you were a bit older. It must have been hard for him if your mother was domineering. I am sure that he loved you very much, i am assuming that he is no longer alive.

[EngTeach]

Seeing I Love Lucy, hearing broadway tunes and hearing my niece say certain things she learned from my mom always makes me think of her.

I am proud that she left my alcoholic father and raised the 3 of us with little financial support from him. She wasn't perfect, but we always made do and am glad I got to know her as a friend when I was an adult.

[annie0000]

Its strange isn't it, we only really appreciate our parents and understand where they were coming from when we are older and maybe have our own kids.

I read my sons news book from school the other day and he had to write about someone special. He chose to write about me and it was mainly facts and figures stuff - what I looked like, my age (!!?!) etc. but he finished the story with "my mum is special because she loves me - even when I am naughty"

And you know, he is right!

It is when you hear about people who maybe don't have such happy memories of their childhood, it makes you more determined that, while making sure that my children are disciplined and know right from wrong, that they have happy memories to sustain them through life.

[sunflower68]

annie what a great question and isn't it lovely to get those words from the kids when they don't think you are gonna read them!! Makes it all worthwhile...
As to your question, every year come what may, when the first grass is cut anywhere (anyday now) it reminds me of practising the maypole in 1976!

[Buenchico]

Certain Gilbert & Sullivan songs can make me cringe. That's because my late father had a nasty habit of breaking into song in public places which, when you are a child, can be rather embarrassing ;-)

Imagine the situation: You're 14 years old, sat in the front seats of the top deck of a bus. You're with your Dad (which, at that age, is embarrassing enough anyway). You're acutely aware that a group of your school 'friends' (unaccompanied by their parents) are sitting at the back of the top deck. At this point, your beloved father decides that it's time to launch into song. As usual, it's G&S but does he choose a good manly song, like "The Modern Major General"? Of course not. In a high shrill voice he embarks upon "They call me Buttercup, dear little Buttercup, Sweet little Buttercup I, . . " AAAAGHH!

So G&S always reminds me of my father. On the other hand, Brian Matthew's voice, on Radio 2's 'Sounds of the Sixties' always reminds me of my mother. When I was young, his 'Saturday Club' programme used to follow 'Children's Favourites' on the light programme. I would dutifully sit through 'Tubby the Tuba' and 'Nelly the Elephant' until the end of the children's programme but my mother would have given me firm orders to switch the radio off at the end of the programme. If I ever left it on until Brian Matthew introduced 'Saturday Club', she'd come rushing into the room, in an absolute fury: "How many times have I told you? We don't have that sort of so-called music on in this house!". I still feel guilty every time I hear Brian Matthew ;-)

Chris

[annie0000]

Hi sunflower - yes it is nice to read their schoolwork - it gives you a better insight into what is going on in their heads. The maypole thing makes me think of English village greens, sunshine and tea and scones - very different from being brought up in a Scottish council estate - we used to enjoy going to look for flashers in the woods!

Chris, that had me laughing this morning - you just don't get characters like that nowadays do you? (maybe just as well) Although my husband has vowed to thoroughly embarass our younger son when he is a teenager to get him back for all the tantrums he pulled in street and supermarket! Maybe that's what your Dad was doing.

Sorry didn't reply last night - bed was calling!