It was June 1978, when my parents came from Sydney to Brisbane to visit us and celebrate Carol's sixth birthday. It was always lovely to see them as Dad was still working and they could only come once or twice a year.
This was our whole family in Australia except for my nephew, David and his wife Julie. My brother and his wife and other children were living in England. We are a multicultural family. Mum, Dad and I are English. Bill is Swiss and the girls are Australian but they can also travel on Swiss and British passports. Bill and I are also Australian citizens. My parents did their bit to help populate Australia.
I had the best Mum and Dad. Dad was 64 and it was around this time that he started having problems with pain in his legs. After a long time they found the cause was a malignant tumour on his spine. He died of bone cancer five years later. Far too young. He hardly got to enjoy his retirement. Mum was retired and she enjoyed dressmaking. She made her own dress and mine and the girls'.
 |
| Carol's 6th birthday party with the neighbours |
Sweet photos Diane. Your Mom made beautiful dresses. I often wish I was good with a needle. I tried :) So sorry to hear about your Dad. Always praying for a cure for this terrible disease.
ReplyDeleteSweet memories of a happy time. Sad you father died so young, not able to see his grandchildren grow up.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love and cherish old photos! I mean real pictures and not those computer ones. My family albums are my most valued possessions!
ReplyDeleteSweet loving memories!
ReplyDeleteYou have so lovely memories of your parents ... me too!
In 1978 I got married! :)
I love the second to last photo. What a lovely capture of love and fun!
ReplyDeleteHello, beautiful family photos. They are wonderful memories for you and your girls! Enjoy your day and weekend!
ReplyDeleteyour mom is having such a great time at the birthday party. I love the dresses, and have always wanted to be a seamstress, but can't seem to GET it. these photos are priceless memories for all of your family..
ReplyDeleteWhat precious memories!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy these old photos. Your Mom was quite the seamstress!
ReplyDeleteI have had to use moderation to combat the spam.
ReplyDeleteI've married into a very nice family.
ReplyDeleteBit curious about the Swiss passport. They don't have a Euro passport? Oh, I thought I had better check if Switzerland was an EU member. I am sorry I did. It is so complicated.
ReplyDeleteNice family memories shared through these photos, Diane, and sorry to read of your dad's early passing.
ReplyDeleteThis story reminds me of the dresses I made in those days. Sometimes in my patchwork stash I come across old scraps from dresses I made - brings back memories.
ReplyDeleteGosh that's sad about your dad Diane, life can be so unfair sometimes. Thankfully you have all these gorgeous photos and memories to hold on to 💜
ReplyDeleteI love those dresses made by your Mum, they're really pretty.
ReplyDeleteThat was far too young for your Dad to have died, yes, he did deserve the reward of a long retirement.
The birthday photos are absolutely delightful.
It's always interesting to hear family history: to share the sadness and the joy. I came to Lewis in 1975. It seems like an age ago and yet has flown by.
ReplyDeleteWonderful family photographs, they provide such lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It was fun and interesting to learn about how your daughters can travel on all three passports. An added benefit of your family’s multiculturism (which is already a gift in itself). .... Joyful memories tinged with sadness for your dad. Bone cancer is an insidious disease, my younger brother also died from it way too young.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories and photos, Diane. I'm sad to hear about your father's cancer and young death. I lost my dad in a tragic event when I was 18 and he was only 61.I still miss him every day! Your mother was a wonderful seamstress. My husband had to give up his Italian citizenship when he became a naturalized American citizen so he and our children can not now get Italian passports. He would have to live one year in Italy to get back dual citizenship, and I doubt that will happen
ReplyDelete