November Gazette Final

Girgarre Gazette
November pg11
Writers’ Group
Latest Contribution
by Winsome
Eliza Louisa 1879-1977
I remember my grandmother.
Tiny, sprightly and strong – an intelligent woman who dressed well and never smoked or drank. Except
for the occasional sip from the silver flask of brandy that was always in her handbag. For medicinal
purposes, of course! Though strangely, of all the times I was with her, I never saw the purchase or even
appearance of this bottle of magic.
As I reminisce, I realise I hardly knew this woman – after all, how could I, as a child, a teenager,
then a young married woman, understand the past life of this old lady.
And what a life! Living first in the security of a wealthy family, adored by her father, being educated
beyond other girls of her era – then to run away pregnant to the city with a shearer who later went off
to the Great War, leaving her to manage with five small children.
And what a tall handsome soldier he made! Obviously he was a ladies’ man, as they would say, as
Gran was to discover when opening her husband’s mail since he was at war. Here was some woman
accepting his proposal of marriage!
Eventually he came home and all was forgiven. Off they went to a new town, a new home, a
new life. A good life, too, with her husband in a good job, eventually becoming mayor of their shire.
Gran proudly kept the gold scissors from the ribbon-cutting ceremony of some opening all her life.
Tragedy overtook that household in their next ten years, with two of their four boys at ages
twelve and then fourteen, dying – one at the hands of a drunken doctor, and the other of diphtheria.
Time went on. Gran’s middle son, at twenty-six, with a wife and two children – my brother and
me – went off to World War II. Not many months later he was killed in action in Syria. My uncle and
aunt were then Gran’s only surviving children, living to the grand old ages of ninety-six and ninety-nine
respectively!
My amazing grandmother herself lived to the equally wonderful age of ninety-eight, had seen it
all, yet survived so many of her family, always with a happy get-on-with-it attitude and ready to help
others in need.
Stress? Depression? I never saw any evidence of that.
Perhaps it was the brandy!
Winsome is a member of the Kyabram Town Hall Writers’ Group,
whose members are diverse in interests, ages and
backgrounds. This makes for a variety of stories
and poetry. Some have been included in the
newly-launched KTHWG’s Celebrating Women – a
book of original written works and art from the
wider community.
On sale now at $20 from the Kyabram Town Hall
and on line from the writers’ group link on
Facebook and the KTH website:
kyabramtownhall.com.au
A great read & a great gift idea!
© Winsome
Direct contact: kyabramwritersgroup@gmail.com