"They told me I should be ashamed, that the menfolk were dying in their thousands to protect us, and I had no business crying" - a person's trauma doesn't negate another's. Beautifully expressed in your story.
Thank you. We do put everything into a hierarchy, don’t we? Crimes, discriminations, wars, anti-social behaviour, grief. So we can ignore the ones at the bottom of the pile.
It's easier to only focus on a few issues, rather than a lot. So disregarding most as not important enough makes it easier to cope. But we should instead focus on fewer issues, closer to us: be they large or small
“Bats flitted back and forth between the shadows and the light in the sky. The moon lit our way through the crowding rhododendrons…”
This feels like a memory. Fantastic work.
Thank you. Sometimes stories feel like memories. They are, I suppose. Somebody’s memories.
What an incredibly moving story--and so beautifully written!
Thank you, Liz. We often forget that the carnage of the Great War meant tragedy for the women left behind too. So many husband and sweethearts lost.
You're welcome, Jane. Thank you for speaking on behalf of the women who had to grieve when a husband or a sweetheart was killed.
The ‘maiden aunt’, the ‘old spinster’ were figures of fun or pity, as if they had chosen to live without a husband and children. So sad.
"They told me I should be ashamed, that the menfolk were dying in their thousands to protect us, and I had no business crying" - a person's trauma doesn't negate another's. Beautifully expressed in your story.
Thank you. We do put everything into a hierarchy, don’t we? Crimes, discriminations, wars, anti-social behaviour, grief. So we can ignore the ones at the bottom of the pile.
It's easier to only focus on a few issues, rather than a lot. So disregarding most as not important enough makes it easier to cope. But we should instead focus on fewer issues, closer to us: be they large or small
Yes, even only one cause, if we get results/
Very atmospheric, Jane. I was there!
Old bandstand are full of memories. I’m glad you felt them.
Beautifully written.
Thank you xx
Beautifully sad.
I like this. And I enjoy your writing!