A memoir starting with the sentence: ‘The very first time that I ….’
The first time that I had something published was in article in the Scots Magazine in March 1979. It was entitled ‘Ben Ime by Moonlight’ and was about a night ascent, in winter, of Ben Ime near the Rest and Be Thankful pass, north west of Arrochar. It was one of the coldest spells of … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “The First Time That I Was Published”
The very first time that I entered a hospital was in 1945, when I was four. My mother was in a sanitorium, my father in the Navy, and I was in the care of my grandparents. Severe measles had left me with an abscessed eardrum requiring minor surgery. Not wishing to alarm me, my well-meaning … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “The Very First Time”
The very first time that I flew into Athens I knew I had come home. From the window of the aeroplane I could see the ghostly illumination of the mighty Acropolis. It was the strangest feeling, never experienced before or since. It was a night flight and there had been delays so it was 6 … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “Going Home”
The very first time that I visited my husband in jail, he was incarcerated in the Oakland County Maximum Security Facility. “Gum or cigarettes.” Was it a question, a command or an offer? I shook my head, kept quiet. After the guard frisked me, she said it again. This time I said no. She seemed … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “Visiting Time”
The very first time that I saw a film about elephants I was entranced. Giant but graceful… compassionate, caring… loving to their families… protective, loyal… everything humans are too often not. Fatefully, my husband and I lived for a while in Kenya where I embraced seeing elephants and other wonderful creatures. After a year, we … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “Ecstasy and Ivory”
The very first time that I remember being annoyed with my mother was when, without preamble, she announced: ‘Our British soldiers are the best at marching. They’re that smart. None of they foreigners can match them.’ What did she know about soldiers? When I played soldiers, it was a boys game. Not girls, not mothers. … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “Crowning Moments”
When I landed at Prestwick Airport two weeks into our marriage, everything was strange and exciting. All my ideas of taking up married life in Scotland were loosely based on what I had seen when Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse acted their way through the film Brigadoon. I will admit I was naïve. But as … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “First Impressions”
The very first time that I was invited to a dinner dance wasn’t meant to be like this. When the suavely handsome Patrick Gormley invited me I was overjoyed until I realized it was for the following night. I was a substitute and at very short notice! So, what does a seventeen-year-old wear for her … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “It Wasn’t Meant to be Like This”
The very first time that I went to the dentist I was eight years old. I had very bad toothache in a back molar tooth. It kept stinging it was keeping me awake at night and pulsating during the day. Grandfather decided to take me to his dentist. I was very nervous getting into the … Continue reading Your Memoirs – “A First Time For Everything”