Writing for Fun
December 2015
Heaven Sent - Joan Bond
I used to have a perfume of that name in the sixties, not expensive but a little above Californian Poppy from Woolworths. My mum always wore Les Muguet Bois, Lilly of the Valley, which was a bit sharp and I didn't like it at all. Mum always liked hats, never went anywhere without one. We spent an hour and a half in C&As once trying them on, when the frustrated sales girl asked, 'Are you intending buying one of those?' but we had been laughing so much, it was better than going to the pictures, so mum said, 'Actually we have seen better in Harrods!' and we left.
Bertie and I went to the pictures quite a lot. He worked mornings at that time, so we went in the afternoons when the boys were at school. It was hilarious as the pensioners got in cheap in the afternoons and we were sometimes landed with people in front, with one telling the other what was happening as she was a bit deaf, or mostly the old boy in the row snoring. It used to get quite full though. My husband had this habit of pinching my knee when the villain of the piece was giving chase of his next victim and on this one day when a couple left in the row I moved up two seats to get a better view, but I guess you already have the picture, he pinched the knee of an old lady and she nearly had a fit.
He did love films though and was so sentimental if he hadn't had a good cry he thought it was a waste of money.
The really only time of a heaven sent being is when you have a grandchild or a great grandchild or two. You can speak to any dad and he says, there were so many things in life I thought I couldn't do without but now I want nothing else. I loved 'em more because I could have them for the day then give them back.
I do have problems understanding modern terms, though, I went Christmas shopping for them and this poem that I wrote explains it all.
Oh to wake on Christmas morning, all is bright and gay
Oh crumbs, that's a word I really mustn't say.
Everything is coloured bright, oh not again I fear.
But I feel good for everyone to love the festive cheer.
We had to widen the chimney 'cos Santas are so fat.
Do what? Oh no, what is wrong with that?
Lots of chocolates and sweets for the kids.
What? What's that about their teeth?
Well hide them in the parcels that lay a bit beneath.
I just cannot seem to please, they said they wanted a pad.
I bought a pen and envelopes too. why was that so bad?
I remember when kids were kids wanting toys and such.
Now its so expensive everything costs so much.
I think I'll stay a dozy old gran and give what I received.
A pencil, orange and some nuts and a bit of plasticine.
We made that go an awfully long way, the sticky bits I mean.
Then I can cogitate and sleep while they sit round the screen.