Monday 4 December 2006

My Friend John

The other day I was vacuuming in the bedroom, and pulled out the bed, as you do! Sometimes!  I found the little bag, about 1 ½ inches square, that prompted, a memory, John was a resident, who lived on his own ,but was such an interesting man to talk to ,and it was always a joy to visit him ,he would talk about his early childhood ,he lived on a farm ,his Mother was a housekeeper to a Farmer ,his father had died ,leaving her to bring up John and his brothers ,he spoke about his early working life in the brick yards and how far he had to bike to work ,He also was proud to explain ,how in the war he was Physical training instructor ,his love of all sports gained him that position ,he came home after the war and married and had two daughters  ,he was happily married until about six years ago his wife died ,he used to say ,in all happy couples ,there has to be heartbreak for the one left , His family were close and all looked after him ,taking him on holidays ,and visiting him often ,his great grand-daughters would often spend the day with him in the school holidays,  and he would make for them his speciality ,which was sausage and mash and onion gravy. When ever I visited him, he would have a sweet for me or two! and we shared a passion for squidgy jelly sweets! John donated to many charities; he would often get me to post off his letters to them. One day he put the little sack into my hand, saying’ I want you to have this my Duck ‘, and told me he had sent some money to a charity for mothers and children, somewhere in the third world and they had sent him back these little sacks with little tiny people in them, He said put this under your pillow and at night as you sleep, they will take away your troubles. Had forgotten all about it till as I say I pulled out the bed and found my little treasure .John died after I left, and is now reunited with his beloved Evelyn, I  still think of him ,and of course the little sack is safely back under my pillow .

Have a lovely evening folks ,With Love From

           

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aww, what a lovely story.  John sounded like a really nice man.  
How nice of him to give you that little bag.....hope it works for you!
Hugs,
A xxx

Anonymous said...

How sweet that was of him to give that present to you. Love your graphic and name tag. Hugs, Helen

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan...

This is a lovely tribute to the memory of your friend John...God Bless him!

Astra!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story Jan the little bag must be very precious. Thanks for the ear yesterday. Love Joan.

Anonymous said...

thats so sweet i love the little bag,all the best zoe xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/zoepaul6968/DomesticAbuse/

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing that story, Jan. Very moving.

Anonymous said...

aw what a lovely friend Jan, he sounds so kind and interesting. Such a lovely gift as well......Jan.....I didn't know people vacuumed under the bed! omg! Linda xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindachapmanuk/metamorphing

Anonymous said...

What a blessing to have such a friend.  I love the little bag under your pillow.  A very precious remembrance of a good friend.  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story!  I wish I could have seen what the bag looked like!  The little picture box at the top is giving me an error message, instead of the pictures.  Darned AOL! :(

Hugs
Jackie

Anonymous said...

What a precious memory, there are things that money just can't buy, like the warm feeling you got when you found that bag.

Linda x.

Anonymous said...

Awwww thats a lovely tale I bet old John loved your visits.Of course like me Jan I bet you are such a good listener.So happy you found your little sack.Next time pull the bed out more often you lazy so and so Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Never mind as you do sometimes LOL!!You know me the joker Take Care and have a lovey evening.Think I'll write a rhyme about these folks who only pull the bed out every Christmas Haaaaaaaaa!!!!Nowt like a good laugh is there LOL!!Lovely story and glad it brought back some nice memoriew for you.Keep ya eye on that sack now.
Astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

Jan what a lovely story ~ I am so pleased you have replaced that little bag and it's contents back under your pillow ~ John sounded such a lovely man ~ it must have been a pleasure to visit him ~ and I am sure he appreciated your visits ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

Heaven knows what's under my bed !  My rare forays with the mop have yet to yield such treasure, Jan.  Bunny x

Anonymous said...

What a lovely memory of what was obviously a very special man.  Thanks so much for sharing.  I worked in a Residential home for seniors shortly after I moved over here and my life was greatly touched and enhanced by the time I spent there.  I had quite a few friends in that home and my life was blessed by all the stories they had to share.  I loved each one of them, and looked forward to seeing them each day.  There was a special one named Martha, who was in her 90's.  She had been a teacher and companion to a man in France in her younger years, which must have set tongues a wagging back then.  She loved to speak French with me and I was only too happy to oblidge.  One day she gave me a French bookmark, which I now keep in my bible.  I never see it without thinking of her and our friendship.
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

Anonymous said...

What a smashing entry Jan,  John sounds a really nice man and I can see why you hold such memories of him.  He obviously counted you as one of his special friends. :o)

Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

Its funny how little things trigger such happy trips down memory lane  Jan, so please that you found the little bag again, a love story thanks for sharing
take care Lynne xx

Anonymous said...

How lovely Jan, hope those little people always watch over you.  At times, I wish I had some

Anonymous said...

A touching tribute to your friend
~~Kath~~

Anonymous said...

what great memories:) have a good week

Deb

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story, Jan!  So glad you found the bag and you were able to recollect those touching memories!  
What's in the bag, though? Little dolls?  
Pam

Anonymous said...

What a sweet story.  He sounds like he was a dear man.  Linda in Washington

Anonymous said...

awww Jan what a lovely thought of someone.  If you're in the thought, you're always there, a slendid rememberence. Rache

Anonymous said...

What a nice memory. You will treasure that little bag for ever. Paula

Anonymous said...

That is so sweet. He sounds like an awesome guy :P

hugs and love
jennifer

if you are like me you get attached to certain residents, I know I do

Anonymous said...

I think John is letting you know that he is still there for you and is watching out for you.  What a lovely reminder!

Love,
Susie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/susanebunn/ItAllStartsAfter50/

Anonymous said...

That was such a nice entry Jan ,and John sounded lovely too.Im sure you must treasure the little people in the bag and I hope it works for you and you don't have any troubles.I loved your top graphic and your snow flake Jan signture.......Love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

Awwww that is soooooooooooo sweet ~ bless him.  I wanna cry now :(  Lovely memory.

Jenny

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jmoqueen/MyLife

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful, heartfelt entry. I felt the tears well in my eyes.
Dianna

Anonymous said...

John sounded so sweet, I love the little people. I've got some the same from Guatemala, they're called Worry Dolls, mine are in a bamboo box. Jeannette xx  

Anonymous said...

What  lovely story Jan!
http://journals.aol.co.uk/irisclyde/LaDolceVita

Anonymous said...

what a lovely memory please more like this

Yasmin xx

Anonymous said...

I can see your little bag Jan now, it's a wonderful thing to keep.  Enjoy yourself at the over sixties. Rache

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story :o)
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

I can see the little bag now. . .I have not been able to see anything in your journal (or Sandras). . .my adress book is just a red cross and all my emails are not there when I open them. I am sick of trying to mend things all the time. Your graphics are pretty Jan