My mother's sisters' names were Mary (named after my grandmother), Hazel and Moonie (real name Muriel). The brothers in the clan were Thomas, Ernie, Bing (real name Roy) and Andy. One child died at two and another, Norman, while fighting in WWll.

My mother's father ( Thomas) was a horse of a different colour. He was rarely talked about and i mostly heard terms like "womanizer" and "too fond of the liquor". I don't suppose he was much help around the home!! He died at age 40 from drinking a street vendor's cure for hangovers. What a way to go!!!

My maternal grandfather died when the eldest at home Thomas (named after his father), was sixteen. Uncle Tom quit school and started working to help support the family. His mother (Mary, my grandmother) took in peoples' laundry and i'm sure the others pictched in - but still - nine children at home, one at war soon to die. Eleven births in total. Her children regarded her as a saint.

My mother (Ruth) contracted rhuematic fever as a child at age seven. The times dictated a lengthy stay in bed and for her it was a two year prison term as directed by the family doctor. I can't imagine how life was for her at the most playful time of life being figuratively handcuffed inside. She had progressive heart disease long before i was borne but heart attacks, etc. started after i arrived on the scene.

I never asked my mother much about her past. Maybe i tried to but she wouldn't give anything up. Maybe i didn't want to hear the details.