15 June 2010

Magpie Tales-The House


When his Majesty was forced to choose love over the throne, my grandfather, Daniel, was one of four hundred carpenters who readied the house, Buckingham Palace and the city, London for the coronation of his Majesty's brother, Albert soon to be George VI.

My grandmother, Mary and father, Frances lived on the grounds of the house but rarely saw him as he worked 18 to 20 hours a day. Mary, would wake as Daniel returned each evening to serve him some dinner before he fell into bed. On May 12, 1937, with Mary at his side, Daniel held Frances on his shoulders, his toolbelt still round his waist, as the new King and Queen's procession left Buckingham Palace for Westminister Abbey, the roar of the crowd vibrating in his ears. Long live the King! Long live the King!

I try to imagine the sound and the time as I sit at my drawing board in DC, designing the living quarters for the new president, his wife and girls,my dad, Frances watching from heaven his words of encouragement, "That's it Beth" making my heart pound as I draw.

This moment in time is courtesy of Magpie Tales--enjoy and create the magic here!

27 comments:

Brian Miller said...

what a cool moment...both of them actually...i can almost hear him...smiles

Anonymous said...

remembering the old while creating the new....nicely done!

Tess Kincaid said...

This is wonderful! Is it fiction? Oh, I hope not!

Jennifer said...

Love the picture you paint C.M. I love 'snapshots' in time.

Helen said...

Your Magpie made me tingle all over ~ which is very good!

Helena said...

Another great piece. I'd love to have heard that roar for myself!

Suz said...

I loved this enchanting look into ordnary lives among "greatness"
well done and a good story

Lyn said...

What a good story.. the prestige of it all! Good magpie..

Sue J said...

An enjoyable read. Great Magpie.

Kathe W. said...

nice read! I enjoyed the behind the scenes feel.

chiccoreal said...

Dear CM: There is a definitive realism here that is inescapable. I am wondering if this is an actual account of the historical event of King George VI's Coronation? Decidedly so in my humble opinion. These characters are depicted so vividly as to be real people; whether or not this is case; is one for speculation. Very illustrative; capturing the essence of the times.

Stafford Ray said...

Were we all sucked in? Please tell us if this is a true story. Second thoughts, Maybe not. Changed my mind. Don't.
Oh, I am so decisive. We all felt the presence of your Grandfather so strongly. Great story telling.

Tumblewords: said...

Delicate span of worlds and time. Very nice!

C.M. Jackson said...

Brian-I believe in listening to he past and present--thanks!

C.M. Jackson said...

soundoffreedom--thanks for stopping by--I like moving back and forth between the old and new-c

C.M. Jackson said...

willow--it is true if you wish--I have a grandfather that was from england but never knew him..except for the history I am afraid it is just another tale from another place-c

C.M. Jackson said...

Thanks Jennifer! Snapshots create the best stories! c

C.M. Jackson said...

Helen-mission accomplished! When Istart I am never certain but I continue typing despite it all!! c

C.M. Jackson said...

lena--I watched a video on youtube--I would imagine the cheers reverberated through the little boy's chest! Thanks! C

C.M. Jackson said...

Thanks Suz--I had a great prompt--thanks Willow!

C.M. Jackson said...

Lyn--I like to believe we have the same majesty here albeit in a manner that allows all of us to be King or Queen! -Best C

C.M. Jackson said...

Sue J-glad you enjoyed-Thanks for visiting-best c

C.M. Jackson said...

Kathew-past and present my favorite times;-) best-c

C.M. Jackson said...

chicoreal--thanks so much but it is just a view of a time and a photo that sent me in a direction that I couldn't ignore--best c

C.M. Jackson said...

stafford ray--I am sorry but I made it all up except the part about Edward abdicating and his brother Albert having to take the throne;-) Thank you for your kind words--best c

C.M. Jackson said...

Tumblewords--Thanks so much!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

cute tale!

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