Your story has stayed with me for days...it feels like you were writing about a different era, but you weren't. I was sitting school cert in 1979, just up the road. My biggest worry was what to wear to school (we went to a progressive for its time school with no uniform) and fighting with my sister and you were all alone going through that, I'm crying to think about it. Thank you for sharing, your writing is evocative and powerful and I can't wait for the next chapter. Meri Kirihimete x
And thank you for your wonderful comment. I was alone, as in not with my family, but I we did create a family in a way the other girls and Home and I. So I was not totally alone. The worst alone time was having to sign the papers. Then I was truly awfully alone.
Wayward girls! Never wayward boys! Your story certainly brought tears to me. It must have been hard to write it all down. I was so lucky. In 1967, aged 19 l too became pregnant, but a very different story. I had already left home and was living in London. When l went home to tell my parents, although shocked they were amazing. Gently suggested l did not rush into marriage but return home to live and they would help me! Amazing for the time and the small (minded) town they lived in. Of course l didn’t take there advise, married the rather older than me dad and of course divorced when our little girl was four! She’s now 56! I went on to have another four kids! Sucker for punishment. I was so thrilled to read that you have a loving relationship with you son, you both so deserve that. Much love.
This made me laugh in places (your description of the man opening and closing his newspaper) and tear up in others. So poignant and beautiful and heart wrenching. I don't know what happens next, but I hope very much that you have been able to know your son.
My mum was also sent to the nuns, unmarried and pregnant at 18.
Thank you! I did find my son when he reached his teens. His adopted mother and I had stayed in touch. From the moment we found him again he has been back as part of our family and his adopted family. Life is a funny thing.
Fancy your mum being sent away too. I would love to have chatted about our stories over a cup of tea!
Oh I'm so glad you were able to find him and he's part of your family.
Mum certainly has plenty of stories. She's in her 70s now and has just achieved a Master's in Creative Writing for her first novel :)
I'm the youngest of 6 children. There are very big age gaps between us! The eldest, my sister, is the one that my mum fought to keep. I don't know how, but she ran away from the convent to raise her daughter as a single mum in London in the 1960s. I should ask her more about that time.
I always wished I had been that brave. To run away with Logan. But I could not leave my own mother who was sick. I was caught. Tell your mother hello from me! I look forward to reading her novel!
Having followed you over a decade I knew about your first son of course and had guessed more, right or wrong. Came upon the whole story just now . . . remembered the times and so appreciated a story I totally understood. thank you. Coming from Down Under and being a couple of decades older than you . . . every single word rings a bell . . . Celi, for my medical degrees I did my months' long obstetrics segment at Sydney's Crown Street Hospital - ,myself engaged but a virgin thrown into the scenario'. It was the Sydney hospital where the 'bad' girls came to give birch. For a few months I did not sleep but spent quiet nights holding hands wish girls who 'had got caught'! We were not meant to show them heir newborn . . . . I was the 'good gal' always in trouble . . . if they wanted a 'little look we would share a smiley moment . . . so . . . thank you for he memories . methinks he grew up the way you would have wished . . .
You've outdone yourself this time. .As others have said, this is a most moving, beautifully wrought story of what might be called "a coming-of-age" story, but not your usual fare.
A moving story that made me cry. I was a pregnant 16 year old in 1966. My story is different, I kept my son and married his father. Against all odds we stayed married for 9 years and are still friends. But to be a teenager and pregnant is a scary thing. To be sent away must have been tough, but it seems you made the most of it, and it helped make you who you are today. Thanks for this Christmas story. xo
This is so moving and beautiful. You are a writer, through and through. I am amazed that you have such good recall of the details.
I kept journals - some of which I have with me here - some in NZ. Plus i think the act of writing and describing at the time helps with recall later.
Me too. They are indispensable.
Your story has stayed with me for days...it feels like you were writing about a different era, but you weren't. I was sitting school cert in 1979, just up the road. My biggest worry was what to wear to school (we went to a progressive for its time school with no uniform) and fighting with my sister and you were all alone going through that, I'm crying to think about it. Thank you for sharing, your writing is evocative and powerful and I can't wait for the next chapter. Meri Kirihimete x
And thank you for your wonderful comment. I was alone, as in not with my family, but I we did create a family in a way the other girls and Home and I. So I was not totally alone. The worst alone time was having to sign the papers. Then I was truly awfully alone.
This was such a moving story. Thank you for sharing it. As I read, I often thought this could be a movie many people would appreciate.
My memory of that time is in visual snippets. As though it were a movie. Slightly removed from me in a way.
Wayward girls! Never wayward boys! Your story certainly brought tears to me. It must have been hard to write it all down. I was so lucky. In 1967, aged 19 l too became pregnant, but a very different story. I had already left home and was living in London. When l went home to tell my parents, although shocked they were amazing. Gently suggested l did not rush into marriage but return home to live and they would help me! Amazing for the time and the small (minded) town they lived in. Of course l didn’t take there advise, married the rather older than me dad and of course divorced when our little girl was four! She’s now 56! I went on to have another four kids! Sucker for punishment. I was so thrilled to read that you have a loving relationship with you son, you both so deserve that. Much love.
Now, how do these kids get so old!! When in our minds we think of them as little kids! You have five children- just like me.
This made me laugh in places (your description of the man opening and closing his newspaper) and tear up in others. So poignant and beautiful and heart wrenching. I don't know what happens next, but I hope very much that you have been able to know your son.
My mum was also sent to the nuns, unmarried and pregnant at 18.
Thank you! I did find my son when he reached his teens. His adopted mother and I had stayed in touch. From the moment we found him again he has been back as part of our family and his adopted family. Life is a funny thing.
Fancy your mum being sent away too. I would love to have chatted about our stories over a cup of tea!
Oh I'm so glad you were able to find him and he's part of your family.
Mum certainly has plenty of stories. She's in her 70s now and has just achieved a Master's in Creative Writing for her first novel :)
I'm the youngest of 6 children. There are very big age gaps between us! The eldest, my sister, is the one that my mum fought to keep. I don't know how, but she ran away from the convent to raise her daughter as a single mum in London in the 1960s. I should ask her more about that time.
I always wished I had been that brave. To run away with Logan. But I could not leave my own mother who was sick. I was caught. Tell your mother hello from me! I look forward to reading her novel!
Having followed you over a decade I knew about your first son of course and had guessed more, right or wrong. Came upon the whole story just now . . . remembered the times and so appreciated a story I totally understood. thank you. Coming from Down Under and being a couple of decades older than you . . . every single word rings a bell . . . Celi, for my medical degrees I did my months' long obstetrics segment at Sydney's Crown Street Hospital - ,myself engaged but a virgin thrown into the scenario'. It was the Sydney hospital where the 'bad' girls came to give birch. For a few months I did not sleep but spent quiet nights holding hands wish girls who 'had got caught'! We were not meant to show them heir newborn . . . . I was the 'good gal' always in trouble . . . if they wanted a 'little look we would share a smiley moment . . . so . . . thank you for he memories . methinks he grew up the way you would have wished . . .
Thank you.
this is utterly heartbreaking and beautiful. I applaud you for your spirit and sheer will and bravery and your son would so proud of you.
He is! As I am of him. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing, C.
What a moving story. You have a way with words!
You've outdone yourself this time. .As others have said, this is a most moving, beautifully wrought story of what might be called "a coming-of-age" story, but not your usual fare.
A moving story that made me cry. I was a pregnant 16 year old in 1966. My story is different, I kept my son and married his father. Against all odds we stayed married for 9 years and are still friends. But to be a teenager and pregnant is a scary thing. To be sent away must have been tough, but it seems you made the most of it, and it helped make you who you are today. Thanks for this Christmas story. xo
So wonderful to read more of your life story Celi. I love your writing.
Thank you Diane!!