Tuesday, May 5, 2009

I think, I remember

I thought about having a beer the other day. Not an unusual thought. Then I thought about what glass to put it in. That is more unusual, as I usually just grab whatever one is handy, depending on the beer. I have beer mugs, which I never use, and pint glasses which I use for dark ales. And I have smaller glasses for anything else.

This time, I thought I'd use my special little glass. It is a delicate Heineken 6oz and sits on the top shelf because I don't use it very often. Which means it needed a bit of cleaning before pouring the Hoegaarden into it. So, I washed it and with a teatowel in both hands, grasped the base with my left hand and proceeded to wipe the rim with my right hand. And immediately broke it. It shattered like a light potato chip.

I was proud of myself for not crying.
And for having that teatowel wrapped around my hand.

It did make me very sad, though. I have had that glass for 30 years. I know this because that is how long it's been since I lived in Holland, where I got it. The shattering of a 30 year old memento and then realizing how long it has been a memento has a way of making one reminisce and feel nostalgic. And wonder what the hell happened to that 20 year old's free spirit? It also made me sad, because, as I said, I rarely used it for fear of it breaking, which now seems a waste. I have another glass from my stay that has a picture of the newly crowned Queen Beatrix, from 30Apr 1980. I'm pretty sure I would have cried if that had broken. Not because I particularly like it, but for the memories it holds.

We were warned at the time of the Coronation, not to go into the city centre because of the crowds and the threats of riots. But, after watching on TV, we decided to head on in anyway and see how far we could safely get. And we saw no rioting, no teargas, none of the water cannons aimed at the protesters (and there were many, but not as many as the cheering people). We managed to get into the square in front of the palace and I remember one very happy older gentleman pushing us forward and explaining who all the people on the balcony waving at us were. It was my first sighting of any Queen and I got two in one day.

Later, a Dutch friend of ours came by with several copies of a popular magazine, Margriet, for us. He had been looking at the special edition and in particular the centre spread of the crowds of people in the square as the Royal Family waved from the balcony. And somehow, in that photo of thousands of people, he found us: two Canadians, one American, and himself.

My heart goes out to the Dutch people and the recent act of violence aimed at the Royal Family that killed and injured so many cheering bystanders. At least in 1980, you knew what the protesters were about; this will forever remain unexplained. Yet, will change everything.

28 comments:

  1. Sorry about the glass. And I love it when people share their cool memories.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jazz: I feel strangely 'old', telling stories of my youth! But, yeah, I like when others do it...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes Violet, I was there too, on the coronation day of Beatrix - and it holds just as many memories,
    making me recall a time life seemed carefree and innocent.

    My mother read "Margriet" for decades, I actually still keep one to remind me of my youth.

    Your post made me nostalgic too, having recently lost more than I cared to lose.

    A warm hug from a wet Belgium, just a few km south of the Dutch border.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That is a fantastic story. I am sad about your glass but the memories you have will not break with the glass.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Peter: That is so cool - our paths crossed even then!
    I had several copies I collected whenever I visited again that I kept for years so I could 'practice' my Dutch.

    Christine: How nice to hear from you! Thanks - actually, it made me remember those memories, so that is good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just want you to know that the Remembrance Ceremony for the Dead of WWII went off without a hitch, but with extra security. The people applauded the queen for her presence, discreetly, as befits the ceremony. Dam Square was packed with people.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Irene: That is a relief. I am glad. By the sounds of it, that guy was a one off, so there probably is little more threat to the Queen. Still, it is very unnerving, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  8. While I understand how you feel about the glass, it is the memories that it evokes that is priceless. I share your sense of grief at the recent incident in Holland. Glad you didn't do yourself any injury with that broken glass.

    ReplyDelete
  9. LGS: That is so true. Which is why I have learned to not cry over such mishaps. My biggest fear is to cut or break my hand - cannot massage with that kind of mishap.

    ReplyDelete
  10. sorry about the loss of your keepsake....those small things are always so special. and yes, my heart goes to the families of the attack. how very awful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Too bad about the glass! It sounds like you have some great memories, though. It is sad that evil and violence disrupt our lives, everywhere in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Aw, don’t cry over a drinking glass. Here’s a hankie… nice big blow now… The important stuff – all your memories of that time are still embedded in your brain. And if you ever get to the point where those memories disappear or fade away, then a random drinking glass isn’t going to help you either.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Char: It's funny how much the small keepsakes matter. It is a shame I didn't enjoy the use of it though, and kept it mostly in the top shelf.

    DeeDee: i wish I could remember more of my "memories", though! The events of last week actually brought up the memory, and maybe made me think of the glass...

    XUP: sniff, yeah, I feel better, now, thanks.
    Who knows what memories will come floating out of hibernation when I am in my dotage. I hope they are entertaining - for your sake.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Loved keepsakes are like old friends. It is very hard to lose them.
    Loved reading your memories.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Violet, back in the early 90s I went to Holland. I had a great time, loved it immensely and even tho' there are no Dutch ancestors in my family I really felt like I had come home! I bought a lovely Delft tile cheese platter. It went right round Holland with me, also thru the UK and other bits of Europe. My home journey was via the 'States, where the bag it was in was knocked off the Xray machine at the airport in San Fran and the tile was broken in half. I did cry, I was really annoyed as well as I couldn't say much because of the grumpy airport staffer who obviously didn't care they had broken it for me. I still get a bit grouchy even now thinking about it!! (Eventually I glued it back together but never actually used it. Today it sits on a shelf in my bedroom.)

    ReplyDelete
  16. A few weeks ago, I dropped and broke a coffee mug that ws made by family friends who wee potters. I've had it since college. I did cry.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Meggie: That is a nice way of looking at it. Thanks.

    Sagittarian: That is terrible - you never got the chance to enjoy it, or show it off. How careless of him.

    Citizen: I'm sorry about your mug - a true original. We put so much emotional value into some of our keepsakes.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's sad to break something that evokes so many memories - but hopefully you won't lose those memories for many, many years!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Pinklea: My wish is to be able to remember things for a long, long, time.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I didn't know about this tragedy until I read your post and looked it up. I'm sorry you broke your glass, but you really, really have to take a picture of the magazine with your photo. You don't have to show us which one is you.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Geewits: What is sadder than the broken glass is, I can't find that magazine! But, I only looked in with the photo albums ... and got sidetracked.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The magazine Margriet, I kept stacks of it, but when we left for the USA, I had to sadly part with it. So sorry for your glass - I hate when that happens.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Violet,

    sorry about the special glass ..
    Have you done a lot of travelling Violet?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jeannette: It's okay, I've moved on from the glass - because I'm now obsessing over the magazine that isn't where I was so sure it would be. This is upsetting (even though I have not looked at, or thought much about it, in at least the 12 years since I last moved).

    Delwyn: Yes, I have, but most of it was long ago. I lived in Europe from 79-80 and have been to UK many, many times and also AUS and NZ.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sorry about the broken glass...although the glass is broken the memory seems strengthened...I've broken so many keepsakes that it has gotten easier now that I'm older:)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Well, Sanna, there you go. Someone who has actually travelled somewhere and not vicariously through century old pictures! What a wonderful memory! So sorry that your glass got broken.

    That is really tragic what happened. Beatrix has always seemed to be such a benevolent and kind queen. Don't understand why someone would want to hurt her or her family.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sorry about the glass--cottonreel

    ReplyDelete
  28. Cottonreel: thanks, I do wish i'd used it more now!

    Oliag: I am surprised at how calm I've become as I get older over these breakages.

    Susan: and I spent several hours going over my photo albums and scrapbooks and trying to remember...

    ReplyDelete

Glad you stopped by. For anyone who stumbled here, don't be shy to say 'hi' and let me know you've visited!