Old photos from the 50's & early 60's.

My mum was an amazing woman.  I know a lot of people say that about their Mothers, but in my case I say this because I just cannot imagine having had the life she had.  She died 8 months after Dexter was born, and here are some photos which I have looked out which I will share.  The photos (except for 1) appear to have taken place before she met my real father which was around 1953, so I am guessing these were taken in Derby as that is where she first lived when she arrived in the UK after the war at the age of 15/16 with only a suitcase.

Mum first arriving in the UK where she chose to be her home after the war having lost her whole family and being the only surviving member of it.  I do not know any of the other people in the photograph, but I think they may have lived in the dorms she stayed in, or worked in the cotton factory where she first had employment.   My Mother is the lady at the front on the right, not looking happy (understandably) with a dark coat draped over her shoulders.  She was aged about 16 here and had spent the ages of 7+ in Siberia and Africa.

My lovely Mother, I think this picture has such a charm to it.

My Mother the lady on the right with I don't know who!

My Mother in the back row celebrating Christmas, again, don't know who with!

My mother a bridesmaid.  Don't know whose wedding it was.

My Mother on the far right, and wish I knew what her and the other bridesmaid were thinking and talking about!

This is a shot from the early to mid 60's in Poland, I think!

My Mother on the left this time, don't know who with but looks like she was on a date but don't know who with or if that is the case!

My Mother, perhaps on another date!  Don't know who with though.

Same date as above I assume as same ladies are wearing the same dresses.  My Mother on the right and I think looking very lovely.

Again, think same date, my Mother facing the camera.  I think she looked lovely.

My Mother on the left front, not looking so happy though!  Don't know who the other people are.

My Mother looking very smart.

My Mother on the right, love the coat she is wearing on what I assume to be a date!  Ha, ha, ha, I am laughing as if she were around I would be teasing her on her "pulling" power - and good for her (she will be shaking her fist and laughing at me for saying this too).

Tribute to Mumbo

This one is for my mum, and yes, I know there is many a humourous caption that could be placed with these photographs (oh, I can just see her cringing at me now and shaking a fist and saying with her heavy Polish accent "ohhh Joanna, don't be so silly, really), however I will not go there as these photos I have put up to make me smile, as today is the 8th anniversary of her death and I miss her and always will.

I have no idea what is going through her head in this photograph, but I wish I did as it looks as though it is priceless!!!

Now she has got a shot on it so maybe has gotten it out of her system as she clearly doesn't know what to do with it (bagpipes), although Mrs Murray (as I always refer to her) looks a bit embarrassed now and who could blame her. I think even my Mum is thinking, I know I am going to regret it but I will smile anyway!

She hated her teeth, but you know, she had the most mischievous sense of humour, and she was always scheming up some plan or another. She was very funny (sometimes unintentionally so) and always full of love and devotion for her children. She had the most beautiful skin, so soft and clear and wrinkle free and I loved cuddling her. I know she loved her children so very very much, hence why she will always live in our heart and how I miss not seeing or hearing her.

I hope she is happy wherever she is now and that she still protects me, after all that is a Mummy job and it takes a special angel to mend our broken heart.....

....and as I write this tears are streaming down my face..... but then my lovely Dexter calls me through for a cuddle and on seeing that my cheek is wet he says "stay and cuddle me and I will cheer you up".... and he does, he always does...

Hope my Mum is having a great party in heaven, and that it is a lot better than this one was in the photographs I have posted (early 70's) - so this one is for my mum xxxxxxxxx infinity times!....

.... and I hope you are smiling down on me from wherever you are....