Memories of Mamgu
Elsie pays tribute to her wonderful Mamgu.
"My Mamgu was there when I fell off my new bike - I can still smell that Germolene.
As well as looking after me at home, she also cleaned our school.
One day, she walked into the classroom just as I was made to stand on a chair for some naughty deed. I watched through the corner of my eye as Sir told her the story. They were both laughing.
I remember going on the Gwalia bus to New Quay with my Mamgu. I was paddling away happily, when she called frantically, 'Elsie, come out of there - it's raining - you'll get wet'. We spent the rest of the day sitting in the shelter, looking at the sea.
When I was eleven, my dad taught me to drive in the middle of a 16 acre field. A few months later, thinking I'd mastered it, I called. 'Mamgu, come and watch me reverse the car'.
She came out of the house. I crashed straight into the gate on one side... wallop into the wall on the other.
She said: 'Is that how you're supposed to do it?'
We laughed until we cried. The poor old mini, it had two new dents.
Then, Mamgu had a stroke, she could never speak to me again. Her voice remains for ever in my childhood.
Years later, watching a science programme with my son, Donal, Relativity, Time and space, 'Mam, one day, I'll meet your Mamgu'.
Here she is here's my Mamgu."
Elsie Dafis
