POEMS FOR GRETA

Collected by Stella Chamberlin - read at various parts of the Memorial Day

Littlehampton West Sussex UK 20-July-2014


You Were Tired
You were tired, we saw it in your face; the end was coming at a fast pace.
But how we wanted you to stay.
In time we came to understand, your will was not our command.
Life just became too hard for you; we didnt want to see, but we knew.
You had to be where you could fly, its so hard to say goodbye.
You were ours for those short years, we miss you and cry our tears.
But we also know, thats okay, for well be together again some day.


If Only You Could Have Stayed
Constantly thinking, never to be the same,
The tears fall quickly, just hearing your name.
Silence is golden, yet not any more,
Silence brings thoughts we just cant ignore.
Surrounded by family, we still feel alone,
Our hearts so empty, this pain we must own.
We wish we could hug you and just see your face,
But now we have memories to stand in your place.
Gone but not forgotten, thats what they say,
Of course, that is true but if only you could have stayed.


Light a Candle
Light a candle, see it glow, watch it dance when you feel low.
Think of her, think of light, shell always be here, day or night.
A candle flickers out of sight, but in your heart she still burns bright.
Think not of sadness that shes not here,
Think of gladness and her joyous cheer.



Greta Memories
From Kate
I've attached a photo of Aunty Greta with lots of family at our wedding. That was
the last time we saw her. Neil & I were so touched that she travelled so far to be
with us on our wedding day. It made the special day even better.

I also remember visiting Aunty Greta & James at their house in New York and being
amazed at the size of their huge American fridge freezer containing gigantic
bottles of coke. We (Jonathan & I) weren't allowed to drink coke at home so Aunty
Greta let us drink it in secret while mum wasn't looking. Brilliant Aunty!


From Stella
1965'ish - At Uxbridge's Rockingham Rec, during the school summer hols, Greta was
about 7, Babs was 9, and me 13 - we were playing pitch'n'putt golf when someone
(can't remember who but guess it must have been Babs or me!) took a mighty
swing of the golf club and whacked little Greta on the head, just above her
forehead. All I can remember after that was the blood coming out of her head into
her lovely reddy-golden locks, pushing her bleeding head under the nearest running
tap, and walking home, dreading what Mum would say. Don't actually remember
Mum's reaction at all, but maybe we'd done a good job with that gushing tap, and
Greta looking like a drowned rat.

1999 - Us visiting Greta in Uniondale, went for a lovely picnic in their local park,
followed by Jonathan and James doing some baseball practice catching (Jonathan
was in a baseball team in Maidstone at the time) and then some very crazy golf.

Aug 2007 - Greta visiting us in Maidstone, and we took her to Sevenoaks for a
lovely walk round Knole Park and House when I reminded her that this was where
Mum & Dad used to stroll (probably hand in hand - ahhh!) during their time off
from working at Shaftesbury Homes, and when they'd just got married in Sevenoaks
Register Office during WW2 (1941).

2010 - Greta visiting us in Elmswell and we took her for a short walk across the
fields to the next village, Wetherden, which was where she'd had her very first job
as a nanny in 1974(?), to which she used to travel from St Neots by bus and train.
She pointed out "her" bedroom in the gatehouse where she lived, and was
surprised to learn that it was still the same family farming that land, as it is to this
day, so the farmer there now is probably the little boy she nannied. She
remembered taking him to the village's small playground across the road, which is
still there too, but is now somewhat up-dated.


From Ruth
I have a fond memory of Auntie Greta picking myself and Adrian up in her swanky
new BMW and I have been in love with them ever since, it even had electric
seatbelts which I can clearly hear her say, mind your head as it locks.SO COOL! We
had a super afternoon with her and James bowling and eating ice cream.
I'll never forget when Heidi and Greta called from NYC on the millenium New Year
to wish us a happy one, both full of giggles and cheer on the telephone.
She was a super Auntie and the memories I have of her will be cherished and never
forgotten. Rest in peace, we love you. Ruth X

From Heidi
"So sorry to hear of Greta's passing - so sad, wonderful lady who made me laugh a
lot, mainly as she kept grabbing my hands and saying 'you actually have my hands'!
"
From Lucy
I was lucky enough to visit Greta a few times and have many special memories of
the time spent with her, mainly filled with laughter! Especially the time she put
the heated seating on in the car without telling me!
I will always remember the laughs we shared and how welcoming and very loving
she was, and am so very grateful she was a part of my life.

Lots of love Lucy xxx

From Brenda
Although Greta had many trials in her life, she always managed to count her
blessings and expressed thankfulness, which I always found amazing.
A song that Mum made up at tea time when she was little Greta - is there
anyone sweeta, in all of Isla Margarita, if there is one and you know her, show her
to me.

From Joanna
Auntie Greta was everything that an Auntie should be. When I was little we visited
Little Paxton regularly. I loved to go out for walks with Auntie Greta to the gravel
pits and take Tina the big black Labrador who lived next door. Tina always
pulled on the way there and I was never allowed to hold her lead. But on the way
home I was! This was so special to me as I always wanted a dog of my own. I
also wanted to see the eels in the river each time Auntie Greta would take me
even though she was petrified of snakes!
When I was ten Auntie Greta came to live with us for a few years. We didnt have
enough bedrooms, so my bed was moved in with Mum and Dad and Auntie Greta
had my room. But I didnt mind. After a long hard day at work in London, she
would always come home and play games with me. We played endless card games.
My hands still sting from playing Chinese patience anyone who knows the game
will know what I mean! She never ever complained and was just happy to be with
me. At weekends she would take me to London to see exciting things she worked
in Harrods and I loved to go there, particularly to see the animals. She had a
wicked sense of humour and she was a pleasure to be around.
Auntie Greta came on my school trip to France with me everyone else had a
boring old Mum or Dad I had a special Auntie.
One particular memory I have of her stands out for me. I had a very important
teddy called Billy Bear that I had had from when I was born. This bear came
everywhere with me (and still does!). While Auntie Greta was living with us, we
had a puppy called Peppa. One day, we were out and when we came home Billy
Bear was spread across the living room in bits! He was the only thing that Peppa
ever chewed. I was heartbroken, but Auntie Greta came to the rescue. She slowly
but carefully sewed Billy Bears head back on explaining to me that this made him
an even more special bear as he had now had micro surgery! Every time I see Billy
Bear now, I think of her and that operation.
And finally up until the day she sadly died, she still called me Pog, which was
my childhood name. I think that James actually thinks my name really is Pog. I
will miss her very much.
Xx

From Kath
Our last meeting I feel was meant to be and our photo together so special to keep.
Gee-ga-gak sleep baby sleep. Cradled in your mothers arms who will love you as
her last baby for ever and ever.
Gee-ga-gak your baby name from us all (or just me, your other mother). Many
times I looked after you; being only two.
Times we used to walk from Walford Road to town, going past the electricity
station where I had to read the notice over and over again: WARNING
ELECTRICITY DO NOT TOUCH and always explain the dangers. You loved to hear
this.

From Paul and Jenny
When I was first thrown into the Vowles family it was 1963 and Barbara and Greta
were only seven and five years old. Luckily, I was very used to having young
children around as I had a brood of young nieces and nephews who were roughly
the same age as Barbara and Greta.
My main memory of Barbara and Greta (sorry, but they sort of came as a unit then)
was that they were constantly upside down or doing some sort of acrobats. It was
like being in a room with a couple of little chimpanzees! They were delightful,
well-mannered and loving children, as were all the Vowles children, and welcomed
me into their hearts without a moments hesitation.
Their life was so different to that of my nieces and nephews (and to what mine
had been toothe completely spoilt youngest of four who were all much older
than me). Barbara and Greta were completely unspoilt.
I remember Paul and I took Greta to the circus at Wembley Arena along with my
nephew Christopher who was roughly the same age as Greta. Her little face was a
picture as she watched all the daring and colourful acts. Although, I seem to
remember that she didnt like the clowns very much.
Later when Russell and Joanna came along they couldnt have wished for a more
patient or loving auntie. She was so proud of them. When we moved to our flat
and Joanna was born Greta would come on the bus after school with her friend
Frances Edgeworth, making sure that they got there in time to help with tea and
bath and bed time.
Much later when Greta needed a home after various crises in her life, she lived
with us at Orchard Waye. Once for a good couple of years, but it didnt seem like
that. She was always quiet but never moody. She was clean and tidy about the
house, helping me with various household tasks (even trying to teach me to cook,
although she wasnt very successful) and she had the patience of Job with Russell
and Joanna; playing endless board and card games with Joanna, and showing great
interest in Russells madcap schemes.
The last time she lived with us Russell and Joanna were teenagers. They had a big
group of friends and our house was like the local youth club! Greta joined in
everything, even instigating some of their silly pranks, and Russell and Joanna
became very close to her.
We were all sad when she went to live in America, but Russell was lucky enough
(or brave enough, not sure which) to visit her there when they lived in Queens.
Now we will miss her forever. It just doesnt seem right or possible, but we know
we have lots of precious memories to keep in our hearts.
Sleep peacefully now Greta with love from Paul and Jenny X