Sunday 1 May 2011

Storytelling Sunday - Some Days are Diamonds

Come on in! It's Storytelling Sunday today, so I hope you are ready for a tale or two.

Often, when I'm thinking about a story to share, I'll go back in time to some little moment I remember from many years ago. But today I have a hankering for a tale of nothing much at all, except a happy day spent with family. So, before it slips from my grasp and disappears forever, here it is. Easter Sunday.

"Giggins hiding," said Little E dejectedly, as he wandered back into the kitchen. He had been out in Granny's garden, trying to find Higgins the three legged cat. Little E loves Higgins. He loves all animals; but it's probably hardest on a cat with a tendency to topple if you love him with a very heavy hand.

When he sees my camera, he does one of two things. Either he turns his back and studiously ignores me..

That morning we had packed up the car with provisions and driven out of the city, back to the country, to spend Easter Sunday with Granny and Little E and the rest. They'd been pleased to see us arrive, possibly because we had dinner in the boot of the car; but with the potatoes peeled and the roast chicken in the oven, they were looking for more. It was time for the Easter Bunny.

He interprets his role loosely round here, so that meant jelly beans for me and wine gums for Kenny-Who-Cooks, the other non-chocaholic in the family. In between chocolatey mouthfuls Little E would look at me with a wicked glint in his eye:

"Nit-neck not working," he'd say sadly. Which was my cue to bury my head in my hands and sob uncontrollably at the loss of my internet connection. He knows how to hit an auntie where it hurts, that boy.

...or he runs towards me as fast as he can

"Let's go for a walk," said his mum, hastily. There's a beautiful park just opposite Granny's. Wasn't there in my time. It belonged to an old lady with, it has to be said, a reputation for meanness around town. Collecting rents was what she did; and she did it well. But she had the last laugh. She left her house and its grounds, right in the middle of town, to the Council. Now it's free for everyone to enjoy and enjoy it we did.

The Tall One scooped his little cousin up and jiggled him and joggled him and turned him upside down and they laughed and laughed, until hunger sent us home for an Easter feast.

All too soon it was time for one last ritual before we left. Granny sees it as getting rid of her junk. We see it as collecting treasure. This week she offered me a collection of vintage knitting patterns and a faded, curling needlework handbook. Published in 1924, it belonged to Great Great Aunt Sally, I think, and it promises to teach me to crochet. I have hope.

And that was my Easter Sunday. We all have our good days and our not so good days. But some days are diamonds; and writing them down feels to me like a Fine Thing to do. If you have a day or a memory or any other kind of story you'd like to share, please link us up and we'll come for a read. You know you want to..

39 comments:

Cheri said...

beautiful story Sian. It is really nice when you have a fantastic family day.

laurie said...

so very true. and telling the stories of these kinds of days is one way of letting the "diamonds" keep on shining.

Melissa said...

Sounds like a wonderful Easter! So fun to get these days recorded before the details slip away.

Amy said...

The little ones are always the ones to pick up on our weaknesses! Our Easter Sunday included a lot of giggling from little ones, especially when playing uncles and aunties.
Thanks once again for hosting our stories, mine today has one picture which became a catalyst for a certain email regarding a knitting project!

scrappysue said...

Lovely story Sian, and beautifully written. The first photo is especially adorable!

alexa said...

Wonderfully told story, Sian! Your writing is superb: touching and humourous at the same time. Sorry I forgot to put my name in the link - not done one of these before!

Unknown said...

What a great way the spend the day and I love the nit-neck. Great story-telling, I shall enjoy all the stories today, I might summon the courage to join in one weekend yet.

scrappyjacky said...

A lovely story,Sian....a wonderful day spent ith family.

Ginger said...

I think it's a beautiful story Sian and happy that you were able to write this one out :)

Anonymous said...

What a happy, cheerful post Sian - love the photo of Little E running towards the camera and I know the feeling of not having the 'tinternet' I would be crying genuine tears!

Becky said...

Great story! I can't believe the coincidences, but this Easter Sunday I was given a collection of 1960/70's knitting and homemaking magazines by my aunt.I have tucked them away in a cupboard to have a look at on a rainy day.

Gem's Crafts said...

What a lovely day you had last weekend, and your little nephew so cute :)

Ruth said...

A perfect story and beautifully written.

Miss Smith said...

What a wonderful story, written in a beautiful way. I love how you've made the day extra-special by telling it like this.

P.S. I'm joining in for the first time - I've been reading Storytelling Sunday for a while and love it!

Wanda said...

Sian, this is a wonderful story...a nice mix of today and yesterday. And your nephew is definitely a cutie!

Clair said...

You're right. A gem of a story.

Kirsty.A said...

Everyone is doing lovely granparent stories today. I need to get posting

Jimjams said...

Glad you coped so well without the "nit-neck" - love the whole tale and the contrasting photos. Thank you SO much for hosting this feast of stories each month :D

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful day. Little E is quite the little character - love it. Ohh what a treasure trove of knitting patterns, I have all of my Mum's from as far back as the 30's. DH can't figure out why but there's no way I'm getting rid of them. :)

JO SOWERBY said...

a perfect story for sunday. it had given me a warm glow on a day when the bipolar has kicked with avengence :(. i love reading ur stories as u know. i can just see u getting those patterns and books and thinking treasure too. my mum dispares of me when me gives me stuff..........more clutter, no memories i say,
Jo xxx

Jen said...

Beautifully written - and such lovely memories to have. Thanks for sharing them. Hope you don't mind -but I have shared a story today too. J x

Miriam said...

This is just lovely Sian, I have adopted nit-neck for myself! Thank you little E. and thank you for Story Telling Sunday Sian. You are starting my lovely afternoon.

angelfish said...

What a lovely story to begin with this Sunday Sian. I love the way you write:)
I've decided to be brave this month and share a story of my own.

Alison said...

Love your story Sian..and your adorable-looking nephew! I have left a story too, but left my Blog address instead of a title...blame it on a 'senior moment'!
Alison xx

Maria Ontiveros said...

A lovely recounting of your name Sian! It's wonderful how you caught all the little details.
And I think it's fun to see some of the parallels among the stories - mine was also about a nice memory of a generally nasty person!
Finally, thanks for hosting. Can't wait too get reading. Twenty-two this week (so far)! Could be a record.
Rinda

catrin said...

Hi Auntie Sian, thankyou for putting me on your blog. Can't wait to see you all tomorrow, Love Ev xxxx

CoventryAnn said...

Love the details in your story, beautifully written :)

furrypig said...

I lov little E with his funny words and fun character little people make some great stories! I have finally joined in the story telling this month, hope I have dne it justice!

debs14 said...

You know what they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure! Lovely to read all about your Easter - love to hear the adventures of Little E and his cute sayings.

Sandra said...

A beautiful story Sian and that's one cute little man :) I have not doubt that by the end of the year, that precious gift will have you crochet'ing with the best of them.

Happy Sunday.

Lou said...

beautiful story Sian x and great photos x

Carmen said...

Love this story Sian but I especially love the tale of the old lady!

humel said...

Ahh, stories within stories within stories.... I love the snippets of old ladies and jelly beans and lack of internet access within the tale of the day! :-)

PS I also just Passed The Book, by the way xx

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Finally making the rounds this morning to read a few stories before I head off to work. I love the tale you have told this week, Sian! And little E is just adorable. How lovely for you to receive the old books - can't wait to see what you'll be crocheting! xo

Jo said...

That's a lovely story and it sounds like you had a great day. Good luck with the crochet!

Jennifer Grace said...

Sounds like a wonderful easter sunday. Little E is a very cute, very cheeky chappie! It's nice to hear a recent story as well. xxx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful story. Sounds like a fantastic Holiday. Nice on the treasures. :)

Margie S said...

I love this idea - Story Telling Sunday. I've marked it on my calendar in hopes I can participate in the future. Is there more info on your blog with specific details? I'll look now and see if I can find any. PS I came by a few days ago but that was when blogger was giving me error messages and not letting me comment! : )

Sian said...

Margie - thank you. I hope you found the page at the top, but really all you need to do is turn up on the first Sunday of the month and add your link

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