My partner’s family lost their matriarch earlier this year. She was the same age as the Queen when she passed and had lived a long, rich life as a farmer’s wife, mother, and teacher in a little bush school on the East Coast of Tasmania. Life in a farming community meant that she and her husband were much involved with the local district. They each had a love of sharing the stories of their family as well as the stories of previous generations.
In recent years her daughter and grand daughter were able to record many of Marion’s stories, stories about the early days on the farm, the Depression, War, and family. But time ran out, as it does.
There is no record of why Marion was gifted this necklace by a Tribal Elder many years ago.
( Packaging is a recent Amazon purchase). That is a tale that has been lost forever. It must have been an interesting story; it should have been an interesting story to be retold through the generations.
It is fitting then that this necklace is being passed down to the next generation in a First Nations Smoking Ceremony to be held on the family farm. We may never know the story behind the origin of the beads though a new story is about to begin.
Watching this evenings news coverage reminded me that in 1963 my Uncle and Aunty took my cousin and I into Hyde Park in the Sydney CBD to see Queen Elizabeth. I was not yet 4 years of age but do remember sitting on my Uncle Ray’s shoulders to catch a glimpse as the Royals drove past in a shiny black, open vehicle. I have strong memories of the garden beds being full of colourful flowers
Having looked up the dates of that particular visit I’ve worked out that I was spending time with Uncle Ray and Aunty Isobel because my baby sister had been born only days beforehand and had not yet been released from hospital.
Uncle Ray and Aunty Isobel are long gone, as is my sister, Isobel.
Isn’t it amazing how memories from long ago can resurface ?
LIFE LESSON :
Hold those you care about close, share those stories, and write your memoirs.
Brizzy Mays Books and Bruschetta 
Thank you for such a thoughtful post on a thought-provoking day. I would add to your life-lesson by saying “Ask the right questions” and (if, like me, you’re too old to have anyone to ask) “Encourage younger people to ask the right questions while there are still people around to answer them.” There is so much I don’t know, and will never know, about the lives of my parents and their families. I was always too reticent, too shy to ask, and now it’s way too late. My ignorance saddens, and sometimes shames me, and I encourage others not to make my mistake.
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Quite true. I too was reticent, too scared even, to ask questions. It was only when my father’s diary recently turned up at the Australian War Memorial as part of a deceased Estate that I learned that there had been a marriage in England prior to marriage to my mother.
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Nice memories! And yes, it is interesting how memories can resurface. My mom is still alive (99!) but many stories and memories are forgotten and are forever lost. So, I’d add to your excellent suggestion about memoirs – to do it sooner rather than later.
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Betty, once we lose those stories they are gone forever. There are so many ways to organise a memoir : hop to it:)
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Okay!
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Ironically, I saw the Queen, myself, on a visit to London at 17. I was in Hyde Park💜 What a beautiful find! Hopefully, there s a way to find that story about the necklace! I always tell my children to talk to their grandmother, listen to the stories, pass them down….they re usually beautiful tales of humanity and sacrifice, sometimes with humor and sometimes sadness, but nothing ever to be dismissed and always lessons to be learned. Have a good one!🙃
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Where would we be without grandmas? Ironically, I have no memories of any grandparents so never really cared about family history. As mortality becomes closer I’m beginning to care…..Keep smiling, kiddo 🙂
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I understand! I’m hopefully not near mortality, but I am close to middle aged
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I’m just really aware that we could each be hit by a bus tomorrow and as such need to make the most out of each and every day. Yesterday I walked in the rain to watch a koala, coffee with a friend today, planting new trees for wildlife tomorrow. You never know when your time is up. Embrace it.
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That s my philosophy too💛 Sounds beautiful!😁
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I was born so much later than my brother and sister that I only had one grandfather left. I have had to collect stories through the years from other relatives.😂
It s funny what awareness of mortality brings out in us!💜
You keep smiling ,too, my friend!😁
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💐
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That necklace took some serious patience to put together.
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I lack the patience to sew a button back on a shirt. Can’t imagine the time and effort that went into this.
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A sad day for all the Commonwealth – Queen Elizabeth was a staunch ally to the US and many other nations.
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It’s fascinating to watch all the protocols in action. I wont see it again.
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A thought provoking post May. So much history during the last century. I left UK alone when I was 18 in 1960, to travel to NZ and get married, so had no family connections. All my grandparents had died before I was born so my knowledge of family history is nil. I often wonder what my parents life was like back in the beginning of the 1900’s.
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It’s interesting, Pauline. Like you, I have minimal knowledge of family history and never cared. That lack of background material didn’t shape me – or did it?
Hope all is well in The Eagles Nest.
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I think not being constrained by family does give you more freedom in decision making. “Eagles nest” love it. Joined by 2 lorikeets today.
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