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Queen Mary
We left England in the grand old ship, the Queen Mary who herself was reaching the end of her active life. After seven days at sea and like so many before us, we sailed past the Statue of Liberty into New York. We docked at the famous Pier 22 to be met by my Mother who I hadn’t seen since 1946, twenty one years before.
That marked the beginning of my life here in America which has had its ups and downs as most people’s lives do. I have never been back to England but have wished that I had, many times but it seemed that there was always something that prevented my return. Maybe there is still time…
Life in America has generally been very good to me. I did not do so well on the marital and family side of things having been married and divorced three times and have lived a single life for the past twenty one years. That is one of my regrets but it is water under the bridge as I can’t change the past.
On the other hand, I did well in my working life and am comfortably off and most of all, am still in very good health able to go on long hikes and work around the ponds and in my garden.
Would I do it all again if I could wind back the clock? I’m talking about the decision to emigrate to the USA. The answer is probably yes. I still miss a lot about the English lifestyle although my memories are fifty years old and things have changed considerably. The one thing that has not changed is the constant rain as almost every time that I watch the English Premier League on the television, the crowd has on heavy coats and it is always raining. That I do not miss.
I became a citizen ten years after I landed mostly for the work opportunity but I am still very British at heart. A part of me will always belong in England and there is still time for me to go back to visit one last time. For now. I’m looking forward to the next 50 years.
One thing I do know, the Texas sun beats the English rain…
Loved the story
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Thanks and thanks for commenting.
I hope you do decide to return one day for one last visit, it would sure be good to see you after 50 years, it’s a hell of a long time.
Maybe one day Dad
Who knows what is in the future. I hope I can make it too.
congrats to you. Hope you can still make it to England. That’s really a different lifestyle, don’t mind the rain..
Maybe a visit in the rain would not be so bad. Who knows. One day? Thanks for commenting.
Great story! Is your accent still English–or more of a Texas-kind-of-drawl?
People tell me I still have an accent especially if I get mad or excited. Definitely no Texas drawl. Thanks for commenting
I’ve been to England… and it was really damp. You really are better off in Texas. You’re very lucky about your continued good health! Keep doing what you are doing! 🙂
Thanks Tom. I plan on it.
I enjoyed this essay.
And the final line is a great one.
Thanks for commenting and yes, the Texas heat is by far and away better than continuous rain.
Frank. Glad you made it here. You have had a great impact on my kids’ lives and I thank you for that.
Thanks Randy. It was my pleasure working with your kids and they have turned out real well. All I did was to teach them how to play soccer. Thanks for the comment.
I love learning about people’s histories and how they came to this country. We are a country of immigrants for the most part. Here’s to another 50 🙂
Yes, everyone has a story. Thanks for commenting
You should take a trip back.
Bj
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You want to come and house sit the dogs, cats and fishponds? If it wasn’t for that, I would take that trip.
Poignant post.
You might enjoy my poem ‘Buildng The Queen Mary’ …
Congratulations i too came to tx from Europe ♡