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Archiver > WARBRIDES > 2006-12 > 1167511713


From: "joan reichardt" <>
Subject: Re: [WARBRIDES] New Years memories
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2006 12:48:33 -0800
References: <20061229151609.69794.qmail@web30911.mail.mud.yahoo.com>


New Years Past - well let me think. I remember the first new years day
after we met in December 1944. It was not a holiday for us in England and I
was supposed to go to work but when my new Canadian boy friend showed up I
was persuaded to take the day off and take him to Kew Gardens (close to
where I lived). Apart from the gardens not looking their best the most
memorable thing is that I, who had been there countless times, got lost and
could not find the way out so had to rely on this 'foreigner' to get us to
the exit before dark! I was never allowed to live that one down. By the
next New Years day we were married for 6 months, I was still in England and
he was back in Canada, still in the army and about to be sent to
Newfoundland , much to his displeasure. I remember that Christmas and New
years as one of real deprivation in terms of food and other goods. I
suppose we had expected things to be much better after 6 long years of war
and we seemed to be shorter than ever of the good things of pre war days.
My first New Years in Canada was not memorable at all, just very cold and
dreary and with the in laws. Christmas had been a real disappointment to me
as it had lacked all the fun of my family event, and most of the traditional
food, like Christmas cake and pudding, mince pies, stuffing in the turkey,
(which I was then expected to put 'jam' on) was conspicious by its absence,
there were no crackers, or decorations. I was deleriously happy to be with
my husband and that made up for the deficit in other areas but I said to
myself 'never again' and have done Christmas properly ever since.
My most memorable New Years day was in 1950 as I had given birth to our
first child at 8pm on new years eve. I woke up feeling incredibly pleased
with myself at having produced this much wanted baby boy, who will be 57
tomorrow
Because it was his birthday, we never went anywhere on New Years eve for a
long time, and you don't know what suffering is until you throw a birthday
party for 12 12 year old boys on that date, in (always) well below freezing
weather, and wait for parents to come and pick them up, parents who are
obviously in no hurry to reclaim them. I shall be quietly at home this
year, but will be at my daughters house on New Years day, and will provide
the trifle which is our dessert of choice for that day - and a very popular
one, I might add. So Happy 2007 to all of you, stay healthy!! Joan
ps Why 12 boys, you ask? I had this stupid practice of one guest for each
year for all 5 kids - but only up to 12 - I hasten to add. I am not
completely mad.j
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michele, host of AWBE" <>
To: "WarBrides List" <>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 7:16 AM
Subject: [WARBRIDES] New Years memories


> I'm sure many of you, like myself, never thought you would see the new
> year bring in 2007. Happy New Year to all.
>
> I hope you would share some of your memories of new years past. Remember
> the first New Year in your new homeland or the first after being
> liberated, oh that one must have been filled with joy.
>
> I'm sure those of you who were living in France, Italy, Germany, Belgian,
> Netherlands and other areas of Europe had some unique tales. I would like
> to hear them. Please share!
>
> Michèle, (Belgian War Baby - USS Brazil)
> American War Bride Experience
> http://www.geocities.com/us_warbrides/
>
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