Christmas 1964 I was visiting my grandmother Fanny Anthon. I was 9 years old and you know what it is like, it is not a child’s house and you are trying to find things they might enjoy to keep them quiet. Grandma give me a book on Tutankhamen, Christine Desroches Noblecourt’s book in fact, to read. Well I just loved it, in fact so much that on my 10th birthday 23rd March 1965 I was given book tokens and I used them to buy to the paperback for 12/6. bet that takes you back lol
Well Grandma died in 1982, 3 years after my first visit to Egypt, I kept a diary and sent it to her to read when I came back. I also bought her some Egyptian beads, terrible fakes but she loved them. However I did not know she left me such a tremendous legacy. My love for Egypt and a tiny note book that poignant records her love for Egypt and hopes that I might carry it on. It records some TV programs in 1972 50th anniversary of Tutankhamen’s discovery. Notes is her wonderful writing.
When I cleared out my father effects when he died I found them, on the back was this.
Why they were never passed on to me at the time I don’t know. But Grandma they were not burnt. But there are now here with me in Luxor, Egypt. In the same place that the ashes of your son Alec Anthon are scattered in the Valley of the Kings. Thank you Grandma for given me such a wonderful interest.
What a lovely post Jane.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for family nostalgia. My father travelled to Egypt a few years before I was born. He picked up a small statue while he was there and it sat on the mantle my whole life I was growing up but I never knew the history of the piece. It wasn't until a few years ago while visiting him he pulled it out of the cupboard where all the family heirlooms are kept and gave it to me. It is one of my most cherished possessions, not because it is attractive or valuable but because my father gave it to me.
Vince that is wonderful comment too. I hope you had a chance to tell your father that
ReplyDeleteVery moving, Jane. It's funny how things work out, isn't it. No such thing as coincidence...
ReplyDeleteI owe grandma a lot. I have been very fortunate that with both my mum, dad and grandma I can look back and know I showed them how much they gave me.
ReplyDeletehello jane, i got the same book for my 10th birthday, from my father, and i have never been the same since!!. i still have this book, and i am 58 now!!, such happy memorys, love mary.xx
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