Saturday, November 29, 2014

THE SMITH FAMILY

I received my bank statement this week and enclosed was an envelope asking for donations to the Smith Family.  While Phil and I have always donated to various charities over the years it is not always easy when one is on an aged pension, much as we'd love to continue to do so.  As this organisation does such a wonderful job though, I just may try to find a few dollars this year if I can.

That though is not my point in this instance.   It reminded me of a story told to me many years ago by the wife of an uncle of my first husband (Aubrey) (have you worked that out OK?)  She had been Minnie Smith before her marriage and the story goes like this.

Uncle Bert and Auntie Min had travelled to Melbourne (Victoria) from Perth, Western Australia, by train (a journey of a couple of thousand miles) and upon leaving the station in Melbourne what should confront them but a big sign on an adjacent building 'THE SMITH FAMILY".

Bert turned to Min and said "and now I know where you all came from!"   Min always loved telling that story and now you too know where all the Smiths came from.

Min and I remained friends after my divorce to Aubrey and the last time we visited her in her unit in a retirement home in Mount Lawley she would have been in her mid-nineties.   She passed away in her sleep on 21st November, 2001 at the ripe old of age of 97.  Bert had pre-deceased her in 1985 when he was 81.

8 comments:

  1. The Smith's have spread around the world....probably THE most common name.

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  2. Hari OM
    Certainly a wide-spread name and the charity did well to use it, for it would be rare indeed for anyone NOT to know a Smith!!! Lovely post Mimsie. YAM xx

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    1. Thanks Yam. It was just one of those wee stories one remembers from the distant past. xxx

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  3. A lovely post Mimise. Uncle Bert and Min sound like a lovely couple.

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    1. Thanks EC and yes, they were great folks indeed.

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  4. I used to donate to Vinnies, (St Vincent de Paul), because I clearly remember them providing us with beds and a kitchen table and chairs when I was very young. Now That's where I donate clothes and other things because I just can't afford to give away cash anymore.

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    1. I donate unwanted clothing etc to Vinnys and of course crochet rugs for them as well although that is slowing these days as my hands get more painful.
      I am not a catholic but loved the nuns at my school and also when there were nursing nuns in hospital and I know what a wonderful job Vinnys does.

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