Oh wow! I didn’t realize until the end this was a wonderful tribute to your grandmother! My father was born two years before her in 1903. He lived until his 90s and we all love to listen to his stories and tails. He sired me when he was 50, and my younger brother came into this world two years and six years later.
Thank you so much I appreciate your gift of writing this morning and bring him back so many fabulous memories.
Dear Charlotte! Wow, thank you for reading this! Where was your father from? I wonder if he has autograph books like my nana had? It was a "thing" to always have an autograph book ready, in the 1920's, and have friends, actors, etc., sign them and if they could do a drawing or little painting in them! I have all of hers tucked away, wrapped up since our move, as they were out on display for a long time and I fear they will disintegrate! They had pages and pages of artwork! I must get them out and do a post on them. When she came to America nana worked in the "notions" department of Bullock's in the valley (remember?). So many movie stars came in and there she had an autograph book in her purse! She has Sony & Cher on one page! There is nothing like their stories. Because of my nana's story, I had wondered what happened the year she was born and taken to the orphanage. That's what started the poem :) Once again! thank you for your kind compliment! oxox
Incredible, I love reading about her today. I remember my grandparents on my mother side used to collect a lot of autographed books. My uncle inherited them all. I don’t know where they are today. I believe they were given to the University of California Monterey when it first opened. I think that’s where my uncle donated them. I am familiar with the old bookstores but not necessarily the one in the San Fernando Valley. I would imagine she had to have had quite a collection of autographed photographs from movie stars and other celebrities. What a treasure you have! It would be interesting to explore her history pre-orphanage and that family.
Thank you for taking the time! I am trying to keep up with as much as I can! There is so much richness among all of the writers on Substack and I am very grateful for the community. I hid away for so long writing my way through a hard season that it's nice to look up, having "made it through" and discover people like you. Did you actually attempt to read A War of Forgiveness? It's my longest piece. Interesting you say to explore my nana's family prior to her birth and I have dove into it a bit. Ancestry can take you down such a rabbit hole you might never come out and eat! ha! Regarding your maternal grandparents and their autograph books that's amazing! It would be wonderful for you to locate them or call the university. I can still see the vibrant Betty Boop style artwork in my nana's! Bullocks was the old department store and she worked in the sewing department! They took a lot of seamstress jobs for the stars back then! or they would buy bolts of luxury material to have clothes made! Thank you again for the time investment! You are honestly lovely :) deb ox
This is a lovely tribute, Deb. Then I rabbit trailed over to your family’s life story. Wow. You put everything together so beautifully. That’s the trip your family took to UK in 1976, right? Now I understand the urgency of that and the importance of leaving THE WALTONS behind, briefly, to make family memories forever. Thanks for the reminder that grace and forgiveness are important gifts from our Heavenly Father’s everlasting arms, never to be taken lightly. He hears and He heals all of our cares and hurts in His perfect timing. Thank you for sharing. Much love from Ecuador, Ned OX
Awe, Ned! Thank you so very much ... and wow! you were in for the longest one so far, and yes, it does actually explain what happened and the immensity of our family history. As you could imagine, The Waltons, a beautiful show about family -- what a perfect show to be on while making such a big decision. I could not believe they took me back, however, in reading your comment and thinking on this a bit more, I could see why they did in the frame of "family." I don't think I will ever forget being witness to that scene with my mom and her dad when I took her home in 2006. I had an urgency in my heart and she wasn't sure she wanted to go. It was very challenging as it turned out. She sprained her ankle the night before we left and we got a horrendous food poisoning while there! My granddad, her dad, passed away a few months after we went! We still look at that trip as amazing, despite the challenges. He really needed to see her and feel her forgiveness. God keep you friend! Please say hello to the family for me! oxox
@Charlotte Pendragon thank you so very much for sharing this :) ox
Oh wow! I didn’t realize until the end this was a wonderful tribute to your grandmother! My father was born two years before her in 1903. He lived until his 90s and we all love to listen to his stories and tails. He sired me when he was 50, and my younger brother came into this world two years and six years later.
Thank you so much I appreciate your gift of writing this morning and bring him back so many fabulous memories.
Dear Charlotte! Wow, thank you for reading this! Where was your father from? I wonder if he has autograph books like my nana had? It was a "thing" to always have an autograph book ready, in the 1920's, and have friends, actors, etc., sign them and if they could do a drawing or little painting in them! I have all of hers tucked away, wrapped up since our move, as they were out on display for a long time and I fear they will disintegrate! They had pages and pages of artwork! I must get them out and do a post on them. When she came to America nana worked in the "notions" department of Bullock's in the valley (remember?). So many movie stars came in and there she had an autograph book in her purse! She has Sony & Cher on one page! There is nothing like their stories. Because of my nana's story, I had wondered what happened the year she was born and taken to the orphanage. That's what started the poem :) Once again! thank you for your kind compliment! oxox
Incredible, I love reading about her today. I remember my grandparents on my mother side used to collect a lot of autographed books. My uncle inherited them all. I don’t know where they are today. I believe they were given to the University of California Monterey when it first opened. I think that’s where my uncle donated them. I am familiar with the old bookstores but not necessarily the one in the San Fernando Valley. I would imagine she had to have had quite a collection of autographed photographs from movie stars and other celebrities. What a treasure you have! It would be interesting to explore her history pre-orphanage and that family.
✨💖✨
Thank you for taking the time! I am trying to keep up with as much as I can! There is so much richness among all of the writers on Substack and I am very grateful for the community. I hid away for so long writing my way through a hard season that it's nice to look up, having "made it through" and discover people like you. Did you actually attempt to read A War of Forgiveness? It's my longest piece. Interesting you say to explore my nana's family prior to her birth and I have dove into it a bit. Ancestry can take you down such a rabbit hole you might never come out and eat! ha! Regarding your maternal grandparents and their autograph books that's amazing! It would be wonderful for you to locate them or call the university. I can still see the vibrant Betty Boop style artwork in my nana's! Bullocks was the old department store and she worked in the sewing department! They took a lot of seamstress jobs for the stars back then! or they would buy bolts of luxury material to have clothes made! Thank you again for the time investment! You are honestly lovely :) deb ox
This is a lovely tribute, Deb. Then I rabbit trailed over to your family’s life story. Wow. You put everything together so beautifully. That’s the trip your family took to UK in 1976, right? Now I understand the urgency of that and the importance of leaving THE WALTONS behind, briefly, to make family memories forever. Thanks for the reminder that grace and forgiveness are important gifts from our Heavenly Father’s everlasting arms, never to be taken lightly. He hears and He heals all of our cares and hurts in His perfect timing. Thank you for sharing. Much love from Ecuador, Ned OX
Awe, Ned! Thank you so very much ... and wow! you were in for the longest one so far, and yes, it does actually explain what happened and the immensity of our family history. As you could imagine, The Waltons, a beautiful show about family -- what a perfect show to be on while making such a big decision. I could not believe they took me back, however, in reading your comment and thinking on this a bit more, I could see why they did in the frame of "family." I don't think I will ever forget being witness to that scene with my mom and her dad when I took her home in 2006. I had an urgency in my heart and she wasn't sure she wanted to go. It was very challenging as it turned out. She sprained her ankle the night before we left and we got a horrendous food poisoning while there! My granddad, her dad, passed away a few months after we went! We still look at that trip as amazing, despite the challenges. He really needed to see her and feel her forgiveness. God keep you friend! Please say hello to the family for me! oxox
Oh the memories this gave me & I loved listening to it ❤
There was so much happening in England in 1905! It was a lot of fun to research and imagine Nana's first year of life. Thank you mom. I love you. ox
I enjoy read it first then listening to you recite it. Just wonderful.
Thank you so much David! I really appreciate you taking the time to read and listen! wow! means a ton :)