Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 290 Location: Harlow Essex
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:14 pm Post subject: A bit sad tonight (Clive is OK)
Hi all I am just here tonight as a friend as I need a friend tonight. My dear old auntie has just died, my mum's remaining sister who was more than an auntie to me.
My mum and Auntie Elli were born in Bad Lippspringe. Just after the war they worked in the kitchens of a British army occupied house nearby. Auntie Elli fell in love with her Stan and mum fell in love with Bill who were both soldiers there.
Elli married Stan Brooks (no relation to Gypo) and they had two sons, Bernie was born and later Chris on 24 October.
Mum married dad and I was born and we all lived in a large house in Wimbledon with Auntie Elli and Uncle Stan. She was like a second mum to me.
Later I too married a Brooks when he too was a soldier at Langeleben and I was working in the NAAFI kitchen, we had a son Ben and our second son was born on 24 October.
So in more ways then one Elli and I had a bond and I will miss her, she was lovely. I am sad for mum losing all her family as she has done, but right now I have to say goodbye to a lovely lady.
Stan is very upset, only recently he lost a leg so he is struggling, mum is upset, Clive said he isn't sure he can face the funeral as he thought the world of her so I guess I am on my own. Even mum won't go and I'm not blaming her. Not sure how to get through this funeral as my cousin Bernie (her son) was my 'soulmate' and he died in 2000 and without Clive it will be tough, but I'll do it.
If you are reading this Clive don't feel guilty, I totally understand, I really do, I am just sharing with friends.
Sorry for being so 'maudlin'
Love
Marlene
_________________ Clive (aka Gypo) Langeleben 1967-1971
Marlene (the last NAAFI girl to serve in Langeleben) 1969-1970
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 15 Location: Grimsby,(the Bad Lands) N.E.Lincs
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:
Very sorry to hear of your situation Marlene. We've never met, spoken or communicated but I've just read your posting. Know how you feel, I lost my wife and a dear Aunt in the space of a couple of months over eleven years ago. The wife was bad enough but my auntie looked after me in the war years, and just after, whilst my parents were away. Thought my world had come to an end but as they say, life does go on. People say, with the best intentions, that they can understand how you feel, but with the best will in the world, they haven't got a clue!! I know how you feel and when I say that it gets better, believe me, it does.
Best wishes to you..................Brian
Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 398 Location: Hanham, Bristol, England
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:
Hi Marlene, You do seem to be going through it just now. The sad part about it is, we're the best friends you've got! Try looking on the bright side, You've got Clive, you could have ended up with someone as miserable as Paul! You missed out out on your's trully, but the NAAFI was only just unpacking as I left Langeleben. Just imagen your back there sitting quietly by the well, the suns out, the birds are singing, and all's right with the world. It won't last long, the bar opens at six, and the lads need their fags before going into town. All the best. Dave T. _________________ Dave Thomas 2 Sqn 13 SR, '63-'66
Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 290 Location: Harlow Essex
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:
Thanks Brian and Dave
I am very grateful for your sympathy and understanding. I knew when posting that it didn't really belong here, maybe in my muddly sad mind and thoughts of yesteryear to ME there is a link. The German link of mum and Auntie Elli which brought me to Langeleben. During my 'official training' for the NAAFI in Esher Surrey she lived just round the corner and Bernie and I would go out in the evenings to various gigs (he was a guitarist)
Anyway, it all seems better in the morning and the best thing now is to concentrate on mum you is in a bit of a state.
Oh Dave, you sweet man, don't feel sad for me, I do have friends good friends, but alone in the latter part of the night, you feel even more alone with thoughts and that's when I thought of coming here where I have good friends too. Robbie even met my aunt at our wedding. Ron would have done but he was in army 'jail' at the time and had to settle for a telegram.
Brian it was good of you to share a bit of your sadness with me. It is true that the pain of a deep loss doesn't seem so raw and desperate as time passes. Bernie and I takes nothing away from the love I have for Clive and he for me, it's just different. He was there when I was minutes old and we shared everything. We lived in the same house, he took my hand on my first day to school in Wimbledon and when other kids weren't allowed to play with the little German kids he and I had each other. When he died I said to Clive I can't imagine being in a world without Bernie in it. We had a bond lasting over 50 years, yet here I am with this amazing life with a darling man. It isn't easy, Clive has COPD, my mum has Dementia and our 3 year old grandson is waiting for a heart transplant, but we have each other and each day I am blessed to have had a rich and beautiful life.
Yes Dave I love the picture of me sitting once more by the Quelle at Langeleben writing my letters home, thank you for reminding me.
All is right with my world again and am OK now.
Clive is heaps better now too since he gave up smoking. He still gets winded easy and can't walk far but today he even helped me carry the shopping in for the first time in weeks.
Thanks again
Marlene _________________ Clive (aka Gypo) Langeleben 1967-1971
Marlene (the last NAAFI girl to serve in Langeleben) 1969-1970
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