Going back in time – part 1 | Beetle's humour

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Going back in time – part 1

posted by Babs on Saturday, 21 March 2009

It all started many years ago, in 1915, when two little children met for the first time.

The children were just 5 years old. They played together under a kitchen table, while the grownups did what grownups do, chatted and drank tea. Sidney, the little boy, was in awe of his new found friend. He had never seen such a pretty little girl and he made a promise that day. He promised himself that he would marry the girl that they called Jeanette. Unfortunately life has a way of spoiling the plans of little children. Jeanette was whisked away, by her parents, to live in America, where she became a child actress in the movies. Sidney had lost his new found sweetheart and with her, his chances of fulfilling his promise.

Many years later, in fact about fourteen years later, Sidney, now a young man, was out with his father and they were rather surprised to bump into Jeanette’s father. They were back from America. He suggested that Sidney might like to meet Jeanette again, and gave him their address. Sidney tucked the piece of paper into his pocket and after a short exchange of pleasantries, they went on their respective ways. A short time passed and Sidney thought about that little girl he had met, all those years ago. His curiosity got the better of him and he decided to visit. He wanted to meet his childhood sweetheart again and see how she’d grown up. See if she was still as pretty.

He arrived at the address, knocked nervously on the door and waited. The door opened and the tiny frame of Jeanette’s mother stood in the doorway. Sidney could see that she was distraught. “I’ve come to see Mr Fordham” Sidney said. Mrs Fordham was crying as she led him into the house. There was Jeanette! He recognized her immediately, though her face was pale and drawn and her eyes red from crying. The sparkle had gone from those beautiful eyes. They led Sidney into the front room, to a scene that shocked him. Jeanette’s father had just died quite suddenly, and was laid out in the front room. Things often don’t go as you expect them to, but this was not the time for Sidney to be thinking of himself.

Jeanette’s mother was French and couldn’t speak any English, and Jeanette’s sister, at 16, was the younger of the two girls. It was obvious that they would find this a very difficult thing to deal with. Although Sidney didn’t really know them, he decided that he couldn’t possibly leave them to see to all the necessary legalities alone, so he dealt with everything for them. In fact he moved in, as a lodger, and looked after the three women, helping out wherever needed. It was probably the best timed visit possible, in order for Sidney to be there when he was most needed.

In August 1930 it was a time for celebrations. Sidney fulfilled the promise he made himself under that kitchen table, when he was just five years old. Fifteen years on, he watched eagerly as Jeanette, his childhood sweetheart, walked down the aisle of the church to become his wife.

This was the beginning.

Stumble it!

42 Comments for “Going back in time – part 1”

Lauren | 21 March 2009 at 16:20

How what an interesting family you have!!

Lauren´s last blog post..You Keep The Change
Liudmila | 21 March 2009 at 19:36

You posted just this photo, I remember…

Sometimes the real stories are like fables. Good or bad not matter. My friends say it to me too that the stories from my life are like fables.

Are they really so or are we that tell our lives as fables?
Sandie | 21 March 2009 at 19:46

Oh,I never tire of hearing these stories of when mum and dad were young.I really look forward to the next episode:0)

Sandie´s last blog post..Absence
Shinade | 21 March 2009 at 20:02

oh how wonderful this is going to be another grand story i can tell!! I am so excited!!:-)
Lainy | 21 March 2009 at 20:18

I can’t wait for the second part of this story… I will definitely be watching out for it!

Lainy´s last blog post..The Eye is the Window of the Soul…
beetle | 21 March 2009 at 20:19

Lauren: Yes, I always used the word ‘colourful’ when describing my past family

Liudmila: I think it’s being able to recount the tiny details that make the stories seem like fables. This is how my father told it to me

Sandie: I have no idea what I will cover in this story yet!

Shinade: This is a work in progress, and I don’t know how it will pan out yet

Lainy: Hi and welcome. I’m glad you are enjoying it. Please do visit again
Tarheel Rambler | 21 March 2009 at 20:38

Babs, you are a marvelous storyteller. This starts out with the makings for a great book. Historical novels are a favorite of mine, and this story certainly falls into that category. I can’t wait for the next installment.

Tarheel Rambler´s last blog post..I’m A Baaaaad Blogger!
beetle | 21 March 2009 at 22:22

Lee: Thank you so much. Coming from you, that is a great compliment!
laane | 21 March 2009 at 23:31

You caught my attention fully.
It’s so well written, I forgot everything around me.

Thanks!

laane´s last blog post..To stop to drop? Quality sites or quality time.
june | 21 March 2009 at 23:36

A wonderful post! Thank you!
Kathy | 22 March 2009 at 0:04

Babs, loved this story. I’m so glad you write about these meetings and the history behind them. You are such a fine storyteller. Oh, please write a book!
beetle | 22 March 2009 at 1:05

Iaane: Welcome to my blog comments, and thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

June: Thank you. Now I just have to write the next part

Kathy: I knew it was time for another story from the past but this time it’s before my time :O) Writing a book sounds nice, but I wouldn’t know what to write a book about.
Granny Grimble | 22 March 2009 at 1:44

You told that beautifully Babs. Thank you, Didn’t Mummy make a pretty bride. No wonder daddy loved her so much.

Granny Grimble´s last blog post..EGG DONOR TO A FROG!
Maureen | 22 March 2009 at 3:17

Wow! Okay, you’ve got me hooked; what a great story so far!!! Can’t wait for more.

Please

Maureen´s last blog post..I Hate Meetings
Stephanie | 22 March 2009 at 6:28

Ohhh I can’t wait to hear the next part!! So romantic!

Stephanie´s last blog post..Coconut Ice Cream
Ana | 22 March 2009 at 10:50

Oh what a sweet story. And you told it so nicely. Well, what can I say… Looking forward to the rest

Ana´s last blog post..Some Fun on Sunday
JD at I Do Things | 22 March 2009 at 13:20

Picking up from Kathy’s comment: Yes, you should write a book. You’re an amazing storyteller. Blog writing isn’t so different from book writing, either. The same wonderful anecdotes and memories you share here could EASILY go into a book.

Can’t wait to read the rest of the story!

JD at I Do Things´s last blog post..I Will Make a Match so you don’t have to
Swubird | 22 March 2009 at 15:00

Babs:

Another wonderful story, and you tell it so well. It kept my attention from the beginning to the very end. Very romantic.

Happy trails.

Swubird´s last blog post..THE CARDINAL RULES
beetle | 22 March 2009 at 15:14

Granny Grimble: Thank you :O) They certainly did have a lot of love between them.

Maureen: I’d better get working on the next part then

Stephanie: Yes, Sidney was a romantic, that’s for sure.

Ana: Glad you liked it. I’ll have to decide how to shorten their life to make it blog size

JD: First Kathy, then you. Now I may just buckle under the pressure, and have a go!

Swubird: Thank you. That’s a great compliment coming from a story teller such as you!
meleah rebeccah | 22 March 2009 at 17:36

Oh My Goodness. What a wonderful story (except for Jeanette’s father dying.)

meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..Status Updates
Jay | 22 March 2009 at 20:39

Oh, what a wonderful story!! It is like a romance, or a fairytale. How incredibly sweet.
Comedy Plus | 22 March 2009 at 21:09

Oh this is going to be a great series. I know you aren’t sure where all you are going with this, but I’m betting it’s going to continue to be as awesome as this first part. Excellent.

Have a terrific day.

Comedy Plus´s last blog post..The Comment Game
beetle | 22 March 2009 at 21:35

Meleah: Yes, it’s was so lovely, I just had to start with this part.

Jay: Life back then seemed to have a lot more romance in it. I wonder if it did, or does it just seem that way

Sandee: I hope it does. There are so many years of their lives to choose parts from. I hope I get the selection right.
Eric "Speedcat Hollydale" | 23 March 2009 at 3:56

There are not too many posts that can bring a warm sentiment into your heart as you read along …. this happens to be one of them!

Well done Beetle

Eric “Speedcat Hollydale”´s last blog post..Banana in my Fairway!
Black Cat | 23 March 2009 at 4:07

Excellent story, beautifully written. Bring on the next episode! I agree with those above who think you could write a book. xxx

P.S. Goody, my gravatar works, yay!!!

Black Cat´s last blog post..What Came Next
beetle | 23 March 2009 at 13:44

Speedy: Glad you liked it Speedy. I always thought their meeting was just meant to be

Black Cat: They certainly had many times in their lives that was worthy of writing about. The difficulty is choosing which
Eric and Flynn | 23 March 2009 at 15:30

You write such lovely stories. We really got into this and didn’t want it to end. We are looking forward to the next part.

Eric and Flynn´s last blog post..Mancat Monday
Jeff | 23 March 2009 at 15:31

What an amazing story! Sounds like something I would read in Reader’s Digest.

I too was in love with a girl when I was 5. I used to stop at her house every day on the way home from Kindergarten and we’d play for hours until suppertime. She moved away when I was in 2nd grade and I never saw her again. I’ve often wondered what she’s like now. Too funny.

Jeff´s last blog post..Friends
Ivanhoe | 23 March 2009 at 17:48

Give me more, give me more ) Old stories are so addicting.

Ivanhoe´s last blog post..Spring and Rome
Swubird | 23 March 2009 at 18:02

Babs:

I left you a comment, but now I don’t see it. Please let me know if it didn’t come through.

Happy trails.

Swubird´s last blog post..THE CARDINAL RULES
beetle | 23 March 2009 at 21:13

Eric and Flynn: Just as soon as it’s written I will post it

Jeff: Oh it could have been a similar outcome, but then you wouldn’t swap you wife, so it’s just as well you didn’t meet her again

Ivanhoe: I’ll give you more – I promise

Swubird: Your comment is there. It’s about twelve comments back, if you check.
Ruthie | 25 March 2009 at 19:19

That’s a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it

Ruthie´s last blog post..Thinking and Hoping to Grow
beetle | 25 March 2009 at 19:42

Ruthie: Glad you enjoyed it
Cacai M. | 26 March 2009 at 16:40

Wow cool love story! I am touched! you’re such a good writer. Continue to write more. I am eager to see more of your write-ups. Am enjoying your story! great!

Cacai M.´s last blog post..I KNEW I LOVE YOU BEFORE I MEET YOU
beetle | 26 March 2009 at 22:37

Cacai M: I’m so glad you are enjoying it
Ruth | 30 March 2009 at 11:30

Fascinating! You’re an excellent story teller.

I am so interested that this coincided with my post about my own Sidney!
beetle | 30 March 2009 at 12:57

Ruth: Yes, when I read your post, I was surprised.
Stormee | 1 April 2009 at 14:12

Love this story. Love your blog, I look forward to hearing the rest of the story.

Stormee´s last blog post..Denim Jacket
beetle | 1 April 2009 at 15:34

Stormee: Thank you I’m glad you are enjoying it.
Vampy Vic | 2 April 2009 at 22:05

Oh my goodness I have chills already!
Wow you have wonderful stories! ) Ok off to read the nezt instalment!! only good thing about being slack with my reading hehe
beetle | 2 April 2009 at 23:15

Vampy Vic: Glad you are enjoying it