This was so beautiful and did fill me with a feeling of loss. So relatable, even though it is clearly such a personal experience. For me, it evoked that feeling you get when you pass a pub that has closed down or somewhere that used to be a video rental as your past slips through your fingers. I get it as my daughter grows up and certain favourites and routines fall by the wayside. The loss of these things does somewhat feel like a betrayal although you have no reasonable right to feel that way. I’m also aghast at the way memories seem to drop out of our head as we age. I walked part of the Leeds canal the other day, thinking it would be a new experience. I was disconcerted to vaguely recognise a stretch of the towpath as one that I had used a lot to cycle to work in my mid 20’s. I seemed to have completely forgotten a whole swathe of former existence until the landscape reminded me. Thank you for delving into your memories for us.
When my little brother suddenly produced a crystal he’d shoplifted for me, wanting to impress me, it seemed to sum the whole prickly experience up really. Just like “No, no! It was never, never like this before….”
Is Mevagissey the place with the big scallop shells or was that Fowey? We always did the trip together so I can’t remember but I know it was one of them.
Meva was awash with scallop shells. My Granfer had a trawler and scallops were my favourite thing he would catch. Sometimes would trawle up a lobster so we’d have it for tea. That was in the days before quotas of course! Fowey not so much a fishing port as it doesn’t have a harbour
I cried when I wrote this one. It was such a powerful experience, looking forward to seeing someone again for so many years only for them to not know who you are. It absolutely broke my heart at the time💔
Seriously, an incredible piece of writing.
You are capable of anything.
Thanks for your encouragement. I very much appreciate your belief in me, Mark.
These are a few other recent (ish) ones in a similar vein although about different experiences.
https://juliedee.substack.com/p/tea-bread-and-angels
https://juliedee.substack.com/p/auntie-edie
https://juliedee.substack.com/p/a-pinch-of-salt
Thank you Julie.
Better than a TARDIS 🤗💚
Glad you enjoyed:)
All we have is love and light .all that matters is love. Love is the answer to everything
Ahh that was a lovely reminiscence - and a little heart breaking!
That’s kind of how it was for me at the time. Bittersweet.
Taught me you can never go back though, only forwards or you are always disappointed.
That's lovely Julie. I think you need to write a book or 5 ❤️📝📙📖
Apart from my own life story I’m not sure what it would be about 😂😂
Your life!! ♥️
This was so beautiful and did fill me with a feeling of loss. So relatable, even though it is clearly such a personal experience. For me, it evoked that feeling you get when you pass a pub that has closed down or somewhere that used to be a video rental as your past slips through your fingers. I get it as my daughter grows up and certain favourites and routines fall by the wayside. The loss of these things does somewhat feel like a betrayal although you have no reasonable right to feel that way. I’m also aghast at the way memories seem to drop out of our head as we age. I walked part of the Leeds canal the other day, thinking it would be a new experience. I was disconcerted to vaguely recognise a stretch of the towpath as one that I had used a lot to cycle to work in my mid 20’s. I seemed to have completely forgotten a whole swathe of former existence until the landscape reminded me. Thank you for delving into your memories for us.
It was such a game changer of a holiday.
When my little brother suddenly produced a crystal he’d shoplifted for me, wanting to impress me, it seemed to sum the whole prickly experience up really. Just like “No, no! It was never, never like this before….”
Life lessons eh?
Not surprising...you actually knew her. Dementia is the most cruel disease.
That's beautiful Julie. And I've just had a little sniffle x
Glad you liked it. Yeah, I shed a little tear when I wrote it too xx
The perfect natural shape. I imagine rubbings would look fabulous. What amazing wallpaper or fabric that would make.
Oh wow! Lived in Meva until I was 16. My mother’s family owned fishing boats so it was a pretty feral childhood down by the harbour. 😂😂
Is Mevagissey the place with the big scallop shells or was that Fowey? We always did the trip together so I can’t remember but I know it was one of them.
Meva was awash with scallop shells. My Granfer had a trawler and scallops were my favourite thing he would catch. Sometimes would trawle up a lobster so we’d have it for tea. That was in the days before quotas of course! Fowey not so much a fishing port as it doesn’t have a harbour
I used to collect them to do crayon rubbings from them on paper when I got home. What a lovely place to grow up ❤️
My Granny was the Ann Phillips of Mevagissey. Did you ever go there?
Yes I did, on the coach! ‘Fowey and Mevagissey”
It’s all so beautiful isn’t it?
I cried when I wrote this one. It was such a powerful experience, looking forward to seeing someone again for so many years only for them to not know who you are. It absolutely broke my heart at the time💔
Probably the best comment under this post.
Yes, she can write.
You've identified a segment that touches you.
I identified one, too.