Earliest Memories

 Even though I longed to have a grandmother both my earliest memories involve my grandparents.

My grandfather (Dad’s father) lived in a flat on Beldford Street Broadmeadow. I remember, as a very young child, going to visit Pop there.  As a little kid and as an adult I thought Pop was just a fabulous man.  Maybe the activity on this day had something to do with it.

On this particular day when we got  Pop’s place he was having a cup of tea (made from a tea pot and almost the colour of tar.)  He decided I needed a treat.  I cannot say how old I was but I think maybe around three or four. I was small enough for Pop to pick me up and sit me on the sink in the kitchen.  I can remember it was a cream enamel sink not the stainless steel type in homes of today.  He then fed me on the most delicious fresh bread, cut really thickly and lathered with butter and golden syrup.  

When we got home of course it was dinner time and I did not want any of my evening meal as I had eaten too much with Pop.  Mum says Dad was in big trouble for allowing this to happen and for me missing out on my vegetables.

My other memory is more of a feeling than a recollection and it was only about 10 years ago that I learned the truth of what had happened

The feeling was on of fear.  I thought I was with my grandmother and the incident involved a tram.  I was telling Mum about this memory of being fearful and the tram about 10 years ago and she told me about this incident thus solving the riddle of my memory.

Mum told me that it was actually my great grandmother Sophie I was with and we were hit by a bus.  I was about two and a half at the time.

Grandma was visiting her daughter Alma (my grandmother) in Baird Street.  At the time Alma had advanced breast cancer and was extremely ill.  Sophie  asked Mum if she could take me to the corner shop with her.  Mum said  a definite no as she thought Sophie was too frail for such a responsibility.   From what I have learned about my great grandmother Sophie over the years was that she was never one to  be told no.  So Grandma took me  to the shop anyway.  We had to cross busy Donald Street (long before the days of the overhead bridge but still a busy thoroughfare) As we were crossing the road we were hit by a bus. Mrs Parkin a neighbour who lived near the crossing came and told Mum what had happened.

Luckily we were not badly hurt. I think I escaped pretty much unscathed  but grandma had some scrapes and bruises.  Grandma's actions saved me from trauma as when we fell grandma held me in her arms and protected me with her body as the bus went over the top of us. Mum says that this perhaps saved my life. Mum none the less was very angry about what had happened.  She said her displeasure with Grandma was like water of a duck’s back and her response was “well she wasn’t hurt I don't know why you are in such a state.”