My story

by Anne Boyd

When I was young my mother used to tell us stories about her childhood days. Her mother and father were farmers they used to make cheese, butter and bread. They would bring it to the market to sell it. They had a horse and cart for getting around in. It was a hard life. My granny smoked a pipe and I used to ask my mother why granny used the pipe. She sad it helped her think! My grandfather was very quiet man and granny was the boss.

My mother would sit round the fire and tell use loads of yarns how she met my dad. She worked in the hospital as a receptionist my dad was a patient in the hospital and that is where she met him for the first time. She lived in the countryside 20 miles outside Sligo town. He used to cycle out to her until they got married. I have seven sisters and two brothers, we had two bed rooms which we all shared, but it was very good times. I came from a very joyful and happy family and we all enjoyed being around each other.

My parents were very loving and caring they were always there for us. My father worked in the foundry he made pots and pans and all household goods made from iron. I remember we used to meet daddy on Friday evening when he got paid. He would bring us to the shops and buy us sweet and red lemonade and mammy her favourite sweets. We were all happy then when he went off for his few pints.

I left school in fifth class. When I went to school I felt I wasn't good enough to be there. So I left and helped mammy around the house then I got a job. Then from there on I loved getting paid and was able to buy all the stuff mammy and daddy could never buy me. I used to hope that some day I would be able to give mammy ten pounds for herself.

Now I feel I am ready to pick up were I left off when I was thirteen and I am getting the chance of a life time thanks to the National Adult Literacy Agency.