REFLECTIONS OF MY MOTHER…MEMORIES OF ELMA...A TRIBUTE

Elma Flora Hay...aged 18 years....

                              (The melodies are some of Elma's favourite tunes played on our piano)

My mother, Elma Flora Hay was born in Gympie, 17^th February, 1919. Elma was the daughter and first child of John and Ivy Hay (nee Hose).   My mother’s grandparents were Scottish Highlanders who were joined by a rogue Irishman who snuck across Giant’s Causeway from Northern Ireland to find a bonnie Scot’s lassie.  My ancestors settled in the Gympie area around the time of the gold rush. James Nash’s discovered of gold in Gympie on 16^th October, 1867...a discovery that saved Queensland from bankruptcy.   

The name “Gympie” didn’t come into being until 1868.  The name was derived from the local Gubbi Gubbi language…the Aboriginal language spoken by of the indigenous people of the area, and its surrounds.  The Gubbi Gubbi word - “gimpi-gimpi” means “stinging tree”, a tree similar to the stinging nettle.  The town was originally called “Nashville”  after prospector James Nash. A southern area of Gympie retains the name “Nashville” to this day.

  

My mother passed away 15th August, 1974.

This post is my tribute to Elma.   

My mother was a brilliant pianist.  Barely a day passed without our mother playing our iron-frame Irving upright piano. Many hours, when she wasn't working, were spent at the keyboard.  Her repertoire was vast and varied...covering all genres of music.  Our mother, at various periods throughout the early to mid-Fifties, also was the pianist in local dance bands.

The music videos I’ve posted are some of Elma’s favourite melodies.  If I had a dollar for each time I heard her play them on our piano, I’d be a millionaire a couple of times over….

When I listen to these artists…I hear my mother’s playing…Without prejudice…Elma, my mother, was that good on the ivories…

 My paintings and poems are for Elma...

REFLECTIONS

Reflections abound a melodic symphony of silence surrounds engulfing me

Afar the fiery golden orb bids its final farewell to lingering shadows of day

Tardy birds relish the dying embers as homeward they wend their way

Vignettes remain happy moments sad words a smile the touch of your hand

Selfish am I in my desire for your presence your being not only in dreamland

Wise lessons taught life’s principles bestowed your gentle guidance survives

Seemingly an invisible nimble fleeting minute in the lightning span of our lives

Unforgotten is the laughter our nonsensical joyfulness or the tears we shared

From my heart forever I thank for your unfailing love always showing you cared

A mother’s enchantment at baby’s first cry

Contentment profound as it suckles her breast

Baby’s grasp of her hand as she lays it to rest

Witnessing smiles a tentative first step

First words spoken tears that are shed

Eager anticipation of what lies ahead

Is a love complete unable to be compared