OBITUARIES

[Marilyn]

Here is a spooky one for you.
As many of you will recall, my family came to Australia in 1964. Things didn’t go well. As children we were “put into care”. Our stories are all different because we became separated.
My very first set of “foster parents” was not a pleasant experience. They were cruel people and beat me daily with a thick leather strap. At the age of 6 I had to learn to spell ten new words a day...was tested morning and night...if I failed I got ten straps with a leather belt across the bare backside. ( if I cried during the ten straps, I got a further ten for weakness)
Anyway....all a long time ago...and I now get to the spooky bit.
I was folding up our Saturday newspaper this morning ( we had read it and done the crosswords and puzzles as per usual). It folded, randomly, into Funeral Notices. I saw a name and froze. ( I literally FROZE)
When I read the funeral notice, it was for the woman who was my first foster mother. It said she would be buried today and her ceremony would commence at 9 am. ( she died aged 95 years)
I looked up at the clock on my kitchen wall, my hands still folding the newspaper.
It was 9 am.
HOW can this be a random occurrence? ( I’ve been feeling a bit wobbly all day since this happened....why would this random thing happen after 55 years?) I hated this woman. She was cruel.

[Wendyf]

It would appear to be more than a coincidence Maz and perhaps a sign that you can let those memories go. Burn the newspaper!

[Marilyn]

I was forced to cut the notice out Wendy. Just sat staring at them now and then, but YES, they deserve a spectacular disposal.
It is just such an odd day.

Glass of wine...

[Marilyn]

We lived on a farm. I wandered into the shed, trying to escape the woman...encountered her husband busy at the workbench. ( I have always loved workshops and the smell of wood shavings etc).
I asked him what he was making.
“ a strap to punish you” he said.
Indeed it was. A double leather strap, about a metre long, on a long handle ( like a whip). It hung on the back of the toilet door. I would sit on the toilet doing my spelling, and twice a day I would get pounded...

I am not an aggressive person, but I hope that woman gets what is due.

[Cathy]

Great suggestion Wendy.
If it was me , while It was burning, I would say ‘Let Go, Let God’.
Sorted!!

[Marilyn]

Well...I noted she died loved by children ( who were grown/left home/ but known to me)...and loving grandchildren. Also a noted member of charitable institutions.
Difficult to know how to process all that.

But what are the chances, of finding this as I dispose of the weekend newspaper, I ask you.

[Marilyn]

I have decided to put these memories back in the strong (bullet proof) box where they belong.
I have a happy life now.
I am ok. I am strong.

[Cathy]

[Marilyn]

Love you, Cazza!

[Marilyn]

I remember having to spell elephant and rhinoceros...( aged 6)

[Tizer]

Put the memories in that box Maz and don't worry about any `spookiness' in having seen the newspaper notice. The probability was low of you seeing it, and at the time of the funeral, but such coincidences happen all the time. If you tried to think of other potential coincidences you could probably come up with hundreds of them. Just think how many times you go into town and in the midst of thousands of people you accidentally meet your friend or neighbour. On a previous Christmas we spent a very cold holiday in Cornwall and visited Pendennis Castle on the headland at Falmouth. It was bitterly cold and windy and there seemed to be no other people silly enough to go there, it was empty. When we got to the furthermost point and walked around the side of a turret, there were our neighbours! It was also on the first day that any of the castle staff could recall ice on the castle grounds - it's surrounded by the sea on three sides and is usually mild.

[Tripps]

I don't think I'd have waited so long to take some action, and the record surely needs to straightened, on a wider platform than this site - even at this stage?
That said - I would understand why you wouldn't want to do so.

[Marilyn]

( but you could thrash kids back then, Tripps, without consequence. It wasn’t considered unusual at all. Kids got caned at school too...)

[Stanley]

I'm sorry to hear that this happened Maz. You have done so well consigning all those injustices when you were a child, and Cathy as well, to oblivion. Youu could do without this. It will stick with you for a while but will fade faster than the original circumstances.
Sorry David but in this case I disagree. Maz and Cathy have spent a lifetime successfully surmounting these things and deserve a rest from them.
Such a shame we lost their original testimony......

[Marilyn]

It’s all ok, Stanley. Woke up this morning after a good sleep, the sun was where it should be, and all is back to normal today.
( well...it is a bit bloody hot today if I really want to moan...but you know what I mean )

[Stanley]

I've just been listening to the reports from Gippsland on the bush fires and the forecast of 43C for you. We don't realise how lucky we are here in Barlick!

[Cathy]

I replied in Weather topic.

[Julie in Norfolk]

RIP Neil Innes. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-50948921

[Tripps]

I'll listen to my LP of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band tonight.
I saw them live once in Manchester in the 60's. Memorable.

' Princess Anne on Sousaphone'

[chinatyke]

It’s all ok, Stanley. Woke up this morning after a good sleep, the sun was where it should be, and all is back to normal today.
( well...it is a bit bloody hot today if I really want to moan...but you know what I mean )

Just come back after 3 nights away and read your story. Terrible people who shouldn't have been around children.
Last day of the decade today and I wish you peace, harmony and happiness for the next one.

[Stanley]

We live in hopes China but will be watching Our Leaders very carefully!

[Sue]

Thats a sad story Maz, and sadly happened all too often. Reading the article is just coincidence I am sure. I too would go for the ritual burning of the article with the words, as my daughter would have said as a child ALL GONE NOW and she is dead and buried !

[Stanley]

[Tripps]

Christopher Beeny died last week.

[Stanley]

"Comforted to know he was not alone at the end and was in his armchair"
I liked that bit of the Obit David. Perfect!