I'm not close to my family at all... Was taken out of their care when I was 14... Didn't know much about them. I remember going to my Grandfathers funeral when I was in my first year at university, though. I was amazed... I really didn't know anything about him at all.

My mother was training to be a nurse (she was sent off to do that - didn't have an option) but then she got married at 18 and that was the end of that. She was fairly much expected to get married and settle down as a housewife. Fairly common for her generation, I guess. In the working classes anyway. I always thought my Grandparents (on my Mothers side) were farmers.

She got divorced after a time and eventually married my father. He was a builder - building houses. Fairly typical working class until my Dad left when I was 7 and then we went on welfare and stuff. She didn't work, just looked after me. I guess her training and stuff was out of date... I'm not sure she ever completed her training truth be told.

I always thought I was a bit odd with going to university... I remember my Mother wanting me to be a secretary because my older sister did that and ended up doing quite well for herself as a personal assistant to some business exec. So she spent a lot of time with me making sure my reading was good and my spelling was good etc (and never really encouraged me in or cared much about math or science like she did with my brother).

I found out my Grandfather was the first person from his High School to go to University. He would be over 100 now if he was still alive (my parents were older when they had me). Wave of immigration from England. Came for a better life after getting sick to death of the slums in England etc. All my Grandparents immigrated from England when they were quite young for that opportunity.

I found out that he studied Philosophy and Religious Studies. So that is where I get that from! I also found out (and I didn't know this) that he was a Methodist Minister in his home town. That that was always the plan... That my Grandmother married a minister...

But then there was the war. And my Grandfather was a pacifist. He harboured drafted men who didn't want to fight out on his farm. He got caught. Was jailed for 6 months. He thought that the church would support his pacifist stance, but they didn't. He lost his ministry. And then he struggled a great deal... Thought he was doing God's will and thought the church would support him but they didn't.

If there ever was a just war it was the war against Hitler - right?

I'm a pacifist too. Never knew where I got that inclination from. My Mother was careful to raise me such that we never really talked politics or religion. I mean, I knew my family supported Labour politically. That was a fairly clear choice for members of the working class, however. Labour was always about fair conditions for the working class - education and health for all and getting a good welfare system for security of the citizens etc. National was always more about economic growth and viewing non-working citizens as not even citizens (unless they were being supported by citizens, of course).

But aside from that... I knew my Father didn't support my Grandfathers pacifist stance (when I talked to him a year or so after the funeral). But interesting, huh... Finding out about an aspect of ones family (oneself) that one never knew existed. Finding out how one slots into ones family.

I wish my Grandfather was younger so that I could have talked to him about such things. When I knew him he wasn't very well. Losing his ministry changed him... My Mother showed me some letters between him and my Grandmother and other people who were similarly harbouring men who refused to go to war once they were drafted.

I'm proud of my Grandfather.

If this is political it is no more so than people who post in support of those who willingly go to war. And there it is...

[kimmydawn]

I think that is an AMAZING read, Alex...just amazing.

I think it's awesome that you found that connection to and with your grandfather...an understanding for self. That is really cool. I wish he were here for you to talk with as well.

I'm glad you are proud of your grandfather in standing up for what he felt was right. I see that bit of him in you as well.

KD

[sabby]

Very interesting Alexandra! You should be proud of your Grandfather, for he stood up for what he believed was right and just. I'm glad you were able to find out more about him and your grandmother. It's always interesting to learn where we came from!

Hugsss
sabby