June, 2025
When I watched the V.E. day celebrations at the beginning of May, it brought back many memories for me. I was 9 years old and the mothers of Camp Hill Road and Green Lane put on a party in the field between the two streets. I still wonder where the food came from as we were rationed. Also how did they organise the games and races. I won a book called ‘The Captain of Castille’ which I still have, for the egg and spoon race. But what we just couldn’t understand was now the war was over, why hadn’t our brother come home, as we hadn’t seen him for nearly 4 years.
Denmark is said to be the happiest country in the world and experts believe that the happiness rubs off on the country’s children. An American author and mother of 2 who lived in Denmark with her husband was really struck by the way Danish children behaved. They all seemed so serene, content, respectful and well behaved. There was almost no yelling and parents looked genuinely joyful. Doesn’t every country wish this sort of childhood behaviour could be in their country?
When I left school I worked in a typing pool with many other girls. We had a calendar and each day had a thought for the day. I really enjoyed seeing what the next day had to say. On the window ledge by me I had an ornament of three monkeys which had an inscription under each monkey – hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Not a bad thing to be reminded of each day. When I left to have my baby the girl who sat by me asked if I would leave it for them, so I did.
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything – they just make the most of everything that comes their way.
I can remember one of the sayings of the late Pope Francis which has stuck in my mind – “Build bridges not walls.” What a wonderful sentiment in this troubled world.
Marie Cove.