Tuesday 6 December 2011

Another Time

I'm at the stage with my preparations for Christmas where I panic. I do the same every year, I get SUPER organised, and then decide something major - that I know I don't have time for, but I go ahead and try and fit it in anyway! Yesterday, I was laying a new kitchen floor, and today I decided to have a huge sort out of a few drawers. However, I'm so glad I did. I found this.

My Grandad had once been an employee of the Fitzwilliam estate. When he died, we found this amongst some of his belongings. I'm glad I saved it.

As I crank up the heating to keep us cosy, and set about wrapping all the presents and stuff the freezer with food, I am reminded that times would have been very different when Grandiwad (my name for him) received his Christmas letter from his employer back in 1944.

22 comments:

Kathy said...

What a wonderful piece of family history!
xxx

Carol said...

What a great keepsake. Things were indeed different in those days, we sometimes need to stop and just remember how very lucky we are and to gives thanks to those who made it possible.
Carol xx

The Curious Cat said...

What a wonderful thing to still have...wow...there must be so much meaning and history behind that letter...xxx

Amanda said...

Thats a lovely keepsake.

greenthumb said...

It's so nice to have things that once belonged to the people we loved.

Miss Holly said...

Our world was certainly in a different place in 1944! what a treasure!

diane b said...

Yes it is different now thanks to our forebears. (Is that the right word?). A great piece of history you have there. I haven't done either yet, wrap or stuff.

two bones and a bagle said...

How lovely is that - really makes you think about what we have and do doesn't it.

menopausalmusing said...

Echoing the sentiments of all the people who have already commented: what a great piece of history to have.

Anonymous said...

Lovely. And how lovely to know that peace did actually come in 1945. Keep it and pass it on to your children. It helps us keep things in perspective, doesn't it?

Jo said...

How lovely to have something so special. I'm in a panic over Christmas at the moment too, time seems to have passed by so quickly and I've still got loads to do before the big day.

Jan said...

What a fantastic message from another time!

Anonymous said...

How times have changed. But what a marvellous memento to have.

Rosie said...

I love the way people worded things then and the seasonal wish for peace and prosperity meant so much more then when people had suffered so much. What a wonderful document to have as a family heirloom:)

topchelseagirl said...

What a lovely thing to have.

John Going Gently said...

talking of correspondence
thank you so much for your card
x

A garden just outside Venice said...

The best gift you could "receive"!
xxx

Gilly said...

Great piece of family history! These days you'd be very lucky to get a printed card!!

two bones and a bagle said...

Diane we have just read your comment on my last post. Thanks so much it was lovely and it made us laugh a lot. I did complain straight away and I got a phone call today as well. Phew at least Nellie went to school I am really proud of her. I am at TH School again next week so if you fancy a meet up perhaps at Wentworth on Thurs night that would be good. TTFN.

Lynne said...

What a special keepsake. Reminiscent of Downton Abbey?
I love your pickles and embroidery. What a lovely busy time you're having.
Oh and I do like the military choir, well, I must admit, it's Gareth Malone as well. I do admire him.

Lisa said...

How wonderful. I think I would frame that and have it out on display.
Lisa x

lazylol said...

that is fantastic - I would frame it :)