Comments for Hegemony Heights

Comment on A death in the family – part one: two funerals and a cupboard by JB

JB — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:59:55 +0000

Thank you, beloved aunt. I’ve always known of the provenance of those tiles, but didn’t know about the bed wall, or that they had now been divided between the four of you. That Oma kept a copy of one inside her cupboard demonstrates a rare glimpse of sentimentality, which is beautiful x

Comment on A death in the family – part one: two funerals and a cupboard by Steve and Geraldine Janicke

Steve and Geraldine Janicke — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:10:24 +0000

JB, your writing has continued to cause me to reflect some more and I think I can shed some light on the reason for two of the pictures inside the cupboard. Your mother had four tiles framed and hung in the dining room at Boyup Brook. These tiles came from the little house in Vlieland that was special to Oma. On the back of each framed tile your mother had recordered Oma’s comment.
“This tile comes from Vlieland (Holland) out of an old cottage built c1624 by a seaman. The tiles in the cottage contained something from boating life, like a beautiful cabin door. Like most houses on that island, the walls were covered in blue tiles (Delft). My parents bought the cottage in 1924 and had the tiles covered with asbestos sheets except for the two sides of the built-in bed. The bed had a curtain to hide it and the tiles were a delight for me who slept there when staying in Vlieland. After the war the house was demolished and most tiles went to an open air museum. I received four but there must have been many. They were easily damaged.”
So the pictures of the two tiles in your Oma’s cupboard were like those in the Vlieland cottage where Oma spent many very happy summer holidays in her childhood, and where your mother and aunt Jacky initially lived while Opa was in Indonesia. The four tiles are now with each of us four siblings and I will always treasure mine for the memories it holds.

Comment on A death in the family – part one: two funerals and a cupboard by GerLdine

GerLdine — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:32:35 +0000

No I don’t remember Isabella’s comment being as I was, grieving for my Dad, your Opa. Thank you for sharing your experience. It helps us broaden our view of family and appreciate you all the more. Thanks social media.

Comment on A death in the family – part one: two funerals and a cupboard by JB

JB — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:08:55 +0000

Methinks too. And I liked that both photos were taken outside with the natural world and light surrounding them. I think Chad and Opa had some physical similarities. As Mum has said, it’s nice to think of James being enveloped in the love of his grandfathers now, and of course Grace.

Comment on A death in the family – part one: two funerals and a cupboard by Lindy

Lindy — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:10:06 +0000

Thats beautiful. Its the first time Ive seen a picture of James Opa. I know his folks always said James looked like Pam’s Dad but look at the smile on Jan in the first photo! Alike in more ways than just the name methinks.