Grandma Craft

I have somewhere a researched geneology of Mary Eleanor Craft, but to me she was just Grandma Craft - or, as my mother always called her 'The Littlun'. Yes, she was small in stature (less than the benchmark 5ft I think) but I think only balanced by the strength of her character. My only memories of her are of an old lady (she would have been in her mid 70s when my memories commence). She was the only grandparent alive when I was born. Although my memories are not that fond (I did get into trouble for climbing the apple tree in her backyard and picking an apple when I was quite young and the experience left me forever cautious), there are little snippets in there that I do remember with fondness. Of course as an adult I can reflect on her life with far greater admiration and understanding. Grandma Craft lived and bore her 4 boys at Leura, in the Blue Mountains. The boys were adventurous - loving the Australian bush and the outdoor environment. My father, Clive recounted many a trek through the mountains with his brothers. His oldest brother, Frank became a Geographer and this was also Clive's major area of study at Sydney University. Both subsequently became teachers. At some early stage in Clive's life, his father was hospitalised in Sydney leaving Mary to find a source of support for her family in the days before significant welfare and pensions. His father died when Clive was just a pre-schooler. Mary was left to find an income from performing domestic duties and mending for other people. Mary moved with her brood to Ashbury - perhaps to have greater support around her. This was the home that I knew as 'the old home' - where Clive went regularly every Tuesday night for dinner with his mother and when around his brothers. Second youngest brother, Dudley was usually present because he remained living with his mother - having never married. We went as a family on fairly rare occasions, though I do recall some school holiday visits with my mother. I do not recall many visits by Grandma Craft to our house, until her final years where she stayed with us to convalesce on occasions and for some weeks/months? just prior to entering a nursing home. I remember a rather dark, 'old' home at Ashbury - but a large back garden which called for adventure - from which I was essentially barred. I think Grandma Craft felt it more appropriate for girls to cook or sew than to climb trees. I was allowed to play in the small front garden and on occasions ride my roller-skates down the paths in front of her home. Without doubt, my most amazing memory is of the one or two Christmas lunches we had at her place. As tea-totallers and Rechabites, there would have been no brandy or rum on those amazing plum puddings but there were 3d and 6d! I don't recall the taste, but I do recall the money. I don't recall if we were allwoed to keep all our treasure, but I am suspecting now it was probably one coin in each slice inserted secretly upon serving. For me, it held as much (maybe more) magic than the tooth fairy. To this day I regularly make plum puddings (using rum) but no coins. I always think of Grandma Craft at Christmas time..... Although the life of a widow with 4 children was quite impoverished, she ensured that her boys felt wealthy in other ways. Clive was always incredibly frugal - in every way I can think of. Who else measures a cup of water to boil for a cup of tea? I think this came from his upbringing. She recognised the value of education to their future, with Frank, Ted and Clive all gaining entry to the selective Fort St Boys High School. Whilst I think there was some pressure to achieve, the boys were also encouraged to be good citizens with regular involvement in their local Church. Additionally they rode their pushbikes on huge adventures through both the suburbs and also back to their beloved Blue Mountains. Many photographs were taken on these adventures and processed at home. I have a memory of this happening in the kitchen - with lights out. Clive was an avid reader - especially of the Australian classics. I am not sure if his brothers received the musical encouragement that Clive received or whether tuition was as a response to an interest/passion that became life-long. Clive loved his violin and for some time in his youth took lessons at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. I think the boys were all encouraged to pursue any scholarship that may become available, and this was probably how the lessons were provided. Mary was proud of her boys and I recall her as a little old lady being picked up and taken to see an orchestra concert in which Clive was performing. Other memories are hazy, but pride stands out. Mary - you were not my cuddly, snuggly grandma. I don't recall actually having much of a relationship with you but I do admire your persistence. I admire your ability to overcome the challenges life put up for you. I respect your tenacity in ensuring your boys were to receive every benefit they earned - in fact your tenacity in making sure they strove at every moment to earn benefit for themselves.

Why?

So many interesting stories to tell about the people who have been a part of my life. As with any oral history - it is recollections and memories, recounts of stories told to me. Are they accurate? I will endeavour not to change or embelish by memories.