History throws long shadows across the Centuries – our time is perhaps not as strange or as unique as it feels to us right now.

1918 - my Grandmother wrote: 

‘Grippe’ (known as Spanish Flue) had a devastating impact on our village. So many deaths, men cut down in their prime, especially those who were in military service during the war at the border. In our small village alone, 8 men did not return. They were all young, their lives and hopes in front of them. Their families were unable to bury them, they returned in sealed, double-walled coffins. It was so very sad, that terrible year . . ..” (A translated section)   

The pandemic cost between 20 - 25 million lives worldwide. In my grandmother’s tiny corner of the world, it led to food shortages, a national, general strike, the collapse of paper money, 187.6 % inflation of food prices, and by 1922, mass unemployment.  

During my childhood, I never heard her talk about this time. But, her linen-clad photo album spoke to me and I often sat with her, fascinated by the ‘strange old world’ it portrayed on its sepia coloured pages, crowded with tiny, black and white images. In later years she wrote her story down and I am very grateful that she did.

Especially in these strange and troubled times, I feel her story is connecting me to her and lends a historic perspective to current events.  

After Influenza and WW1, my grandparents and my mum were ready for a new start.

Many decades later and in another region, my Gran forged a deep bond with me, her latest grandchild.

I loved her dearly and, although she died a long time ago, in my mind, she remains my trusted ally who advises me in difficult times. It is good to know that she will always be in my memory and in my heart.

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