for May Day by quietpurplehaze

for May Day

I feel it's strange which memories stay with us from childhood: one of mine is the patch of lily of the valley close to the back door of my grandparents' little cottage in the sleepy village of Claydon in Suffolk. The scent at this time of the year was wonderful.

These were my maternal grandparents: Florence and Henry. She was a stay-at-home wife and mother and, before her marriage, worked as a tweeny, a maid who operated between the kitchen and the living room. He, through fault of lack of education, worked in a cement factory and also on the coal delivery lorry.

He used to take my sis and me for walks in the fields and was a real country man, knowing the answer to every question I could ask about nature. Villagers used to take their watches and other timepieces to him to mend. He ran an allotment not far from the house for vegetables and fruit. I always thought him a wise and clever person.

I would imagine that most people, like me, cherish a great affection for their grandparents.

(We now have our own patch of lily of the valley, growing like my grandparent's patch, near to the shed and in the darkest corner of the garden.)
Lovely shot and such a wonderful story.
May 1st, 2020  
What a lovely nostalgic story and I totally agree, lily of the valley are an amazing scent. I love your image
May 1st, 2020  
Beautiful image and wonderful memories Hazel, like you I have very fond memories of my grandad explaining the countryside and mother nature to me and my brother:)
May 1st, 2020  
Beautiful image Hazel I love Lilly of the Valley!! Such wonderful memories of your grandparents too!! My sister and I were just talking about VE day and I wondered if our parents went "up West" to celebrate as we are Londoners. We don't know and don't remember them talking about it. Why do we leave all those questions until it's too late to ask them?
May 1st, 2020  
Oh, this is lovely. Happy May Day.
May 1st, 2020  
What a lovely shot and story. Who would think such a tiny flower could conjure up so many wonderful memories.
May 1st, 2020  
Happy May Day Hazel.
May 1st, 2020  
Poignant photo and story. I could relate to this as my grandma also grew flowers, one of which was lily of the valley. The scent always brings back sweet memories. :)
May 1st, 2020  
Thank you for the lovely story.
May 1st, 2020  
I love lilies of the valley. This is so pretty and i really liked you story to go with it. I have some my daughter gave me and I always think of here when they bloom.
May 1st, 2020  
Bep
A lovely shot and wonderful memories, Hazel.
May 1st, 2020  
This is beautiful.
May 1st, 2020  
Fabulous light :)
May 1st, 2020  
@vignouse

Richard, Happy May Day to you too.
May 1st, 2020  
Such delicate little beauties...mine have died sad to say....we’re my mums too so sad about that.
May 1st, 2020  
Lovely, I have a small patch of them myself and I always love the scent!
May 1st, 2020  
As an inner city kid from a poor family I can't relate too well to your commentary, Hazel, but I can certainly appreciate the shot! Fav
May 1st, 2020  
Lovely story and wonderful photo.
May 2nd, 2020  
Haven't seen these in a long time. What a lovely shot and nice memory
May 2nd, 2020  
@lostphojo

David thanks for the fav. And as for the commentary: we did have the joy of the countryside to explore but I always remember having the feeling that my mother had to 'make ends meet'. We had the 'privilege' of being allocated a council house on the outskirts of the nearest town when I was 5. I accepted this but looking back I wonder if it was such an upwards move. Perhaps yes for my parents who had to carry the beloved piano upstairs when the river at the bottom of our country garden flooded the downstairs of our cottage!
May 2nd, 2020  
Beautiful capture my favourite flower and scent Fav
May 3rd, 2020  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.