Tonight's post comes from the iPhone, so it will be short! Lol :) but I've spent the afternoon with uncle Doug, and it has been such a pleasure to hear and learn more about his life. I've especially enjoyed hearing about his mother (my great grandmother) Kathleen Mary Fitzgerald (how's that for a good solid Irish name? Lol). She had a very difficult life in many ways, and with a lot of hardship, but she sounds like a very kind and gentle woman with a sense if fun. Doug says she was very popular, because she was an accomplished pianist with a beautiful singing voice.
One story was about a time she was riding the train from Adelaide to Darwin, and for some reason (he can't remember if the train broke down or if it was flooded up ahead), but either way, the train (and everyone on it) was stuck there in the middle of Australia, for two days! Anyway, it was soon discovered that she could play and sing, AND it turned out that there was a piano in one of the luggage cars, so a bunch of fellows on the train unloaded the piano out onto the ground right there by the railway track and the train (in the middle of no where!), and as Doug puts it, she 'practically played for two days and two nights straight, while everyone enjoyed a non-stop singalong :)
She played everything, from all the great wartime classics (like 'it's a long way to tipararee'), well loved 'pop songs' of the era, like 'somewhere over the rainbow' and of course all the old Irish songs (like 'take me home Kathleen').
How wonderful that they had her and a piano onboard to keep the all so cheerful and entertained. And how wonderful for me to be part of such a wonderful family, with such a lovely heritage. Hearing stories like these aren't just fun because they're great stories, but they're also fun because they help me realize that I'm part of a chain of wonderful people. I start to understand more about who I am, and why I am the way I am. And it makes me want to live the kind of life that future generations could draw strength from.
So that's pretty cool, really ;)
xo Tammy
9 comments:
I'm on the I-phone toooo! This is going to be an ultra short comment post! :)
(Mum here by the way :)
I agree with everything that you wrote, Tam :)
Xoxo
What a wonderful opportunity you are having this weekend. Keep lapping it up. Stories are just wonderful to here.
Love Jessima
Sounds very cool! :)
Isnt it wonderful to re-live the lives of your family through great story-tellers! :)
Have a safe journey home :)
Ah - so THAT's where I get at least some of my awesome piano skills. You get yours from me, of course. I really enjoyed recording some of Grandma's life history when we were in Adelaide, I'm a little envious of you guys spending some wonderful time with Uncle Doug, can't wait to hear some more stories!! :) xoxo
AAAH!! YOU MISSED A DAY!!! QUICK, GET BACK ON THE HORSE NOW BEFORE YOU END UP LIKE ME ON MY PRIVATE BLOG WITH 145 BACKPOSTS DUE!!! xox
PS: We're going to Tim McGraw & Faith Hill!!! Post about THAT!! :D xox
Um, that was Abby.
That last one was Abby too! :)
I miss having your Blog post to read Tam! I need my daily Tammy fix!
Have a great day! :)
xoxo
ps I'm getting on every few hours until IT arrives. Then I'll comment. Then I'll get on again tomorrow to read the one you'll write tonight :)
xoxo
What a wonderful legacy you've been given! :)
Oh my gosh, she's totally like you! ...But you can sing and play better :)
That's cool that you got to hear all Uncle Doug's stories! I love hearing stories about him. Life in Australia then sounds so exciting and fun :)
xoxoxo
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