My Family
I was born on VP day, 15 August 1945 at 12 noon. (I don’t mind broadcasting how old I am!) My mother never forgave me for arriving on that day because it meant she missed out on the biggest party Sydney had ever seen.
As the eldest of 12, I think I grew up too early. I read voraciously; loved school (and did well, but hated being noticed); and resented our poverty. Our father was a true Irishman and loved his beer. Our mother worked outside the home when she wasn’t having babies. She loved us all dearly and she was the one saving grace of my childhood and growing up years.
Today, both parents are no longer with us, and one brother has died. But we are a close-knit family and keep in contact via a family web page (www.rsgraham.com). In addition, we meet in a weekly chat session and have another site for forums (www.grahamfamily.id.au) We visit each other as often as we can and hold family reunions now and again.
My two daughters are adults, living their own lives. We remain close. My youngest daughter lives in Toowoomba with her husband; my eldest daughter is currently living and working in Cairns, but is considering moving back down the coast nearer to Brisbane. Neither of them has children. A son I gave up for adoption in 1966 (my traumatic trip to Rockhampton - see 'My Travels' section) lives in Sydney. We ‘found’ each other in 1990 and have kept in touch ever since. He is married to a lovely woman and they have two children, a daughter and a son.
I hear stories of family fights and disputes and feel blessed to be a member of the Graham family. We never argue or fight and what affects one, affects all. We may have begun life dollar poor, but we are rich beyond measure in all the ways that matter.