Because I was estranged from my mother for so long, I don’t have many old photos, toys, school books, or other mementoes of my childhood.
So I was thrilled when my stepmum showed me a postcard from the past, that she’d discovered while sorting through some old files recently.
I wrote this postcard the day after my 12th birthday in 1979. We were camping at Rainbow Beach with my mother and stepfather (a keen fisherman) – I think it was the furthest I’d ever been from our home in Brisbane, so definitely postcard worthy!
In case you can’t read my dreadful scrawl, here is what it says:
8/1/79
Dear Dad, and (my stepmum’s name),
We stayed 1 week at Inskip Pt, and are on our way to Boorumba Dam, near Imbil.
We went to Fraser Island for my birthday, and caught 45 fish in 1 hour before using all the bait!
Having a terrific time and we’re all brown as berries.
Love, Janet, (siblings’ names), and Miss Kitty and Pinkey.
What My Postcard from the Past Reveals
Reading between the lines, here’s what this postcard reveals to me all these years later …
- Clearly, I wasn’t fully comfortable with this new person in my father’s life; you can see where I’ve added my stepmum’s name, as an afterthought. But I wanted to be inclusive and welcoming.
- My 12th birthday was miserable, something I’d pretty much forgotten (as I didn’t even list it in my post about bad birthdays). Because we were away camping, there was no birthday fuss or fanfare. No cards, no presents, no cake, absolutely nothing special to mark such an important day (although I did get presents when we returned home a week or two later). I was devastated, but trying desperately to put a good face on it and “be a grown up”. I was 12 for pete’s sake! And going fishing? I can tell you right now that was certainly not MY idea of a fun birthday treat …
- “Having a terrific time” – what a liar I was! Camping with my stepfather was a primitive affair. No amenities blocks; just digging a hole in the sand when you had to go to the loo. Then there were mozzie bites, sunburn, and being unable to sleep because it was so hot. Not to mention, no fridge, no shower, no shops – whatever were they thinking?!
- “Brown as berries” – what a sign of the times! Maybe that was the holiday which triggered the skin cancer on my nose?!
- I was always the “little mother” – see how I signed off the postcard on behalf of all my siblings …
- As well as our cats! Yes, I was a crazy cat lady even then. What was even crazier was that we took our cats camping with us! We all sat in the back of our old Kombi van with all the camping equipment (no seatbelts or even proper car seats), and the kitties would find themselves a cosy space and snooze for the whole drive.
- I liked to write even back then, even if it was just a postcard.
- And look at that – stamps were only 20c!
It’s fascinating, but also a bit sobering, to reflect on what life was like for me back then.
How I wish I could go back in time and just give little Janet a great big cuddle, and rescue her from all that she would face over the next few years …
Do you have many postcards, toys, books or other mementoes from your childhood?!
My mom used to say we were “brown as berries” in the summertime! I’ve never heard anyone else say that ??
It used to be quite common when we were kids, or maybe I was reading too much Trixie Belden and Enid Blyton back in the day, ti sounds like spmething you’d read in their books!
Also wish I could rescue my young self. Or warn her, at least.
Imagining that this post was a big hug from present you to that sweet, earnest, struggling girl!
Thanks Louise, your comment has made me smile – it is indeed!
Oh wow, what a step back in history. Love the analysis. Look at where you are now, despite the issues you had to face. Thank you for sharing Janet. xx
I want to go back and rescue little Janet too. We would have been such besties if we’d known each other then. I used to write postcards just like that. You had a cat called Pinkey!
Weird spelling though – not sure why there was an “e” in Pinky!
Looking back can mean reliving memories you might want to forget Janet. I felt sad reading your thoughts on what you really felt and the meaning behind your words. Life can be hard but also look at your life today and how positive you are. Perhaps you learned some lessons for future life from that camping trip even though it wasn’t a fun time. Take care and thanks for your honest thoughts.