Throwback Thursday is where I reblog early posts from the archives. I grew up near this whaling station whilst it was still operating and this is a child’s memory of one visit.
Whaling Station © irene waters 2013
I was four. My cousin Jenny came to stay. I hated her because my brother preferred playing with her than with me. She had already shown herself to be a scaredy-cat, having come to school with me she had cried so much that my father had to come, collect her and take her home.
We went to Byron Bay for the day and visited the whaling station. Unceremoniously, the whales arrived in the receiving bay and were pushed down the timber pallet-like slide to the concrete slab: big, black and shiny with white blubber oozing from the wounds and blood dripping to the cement floor. Jenny started to cry, ran away and was sick. I was happy.
my family and cousin © irene waters 2013
One technique to get in touch with the emotion that was foremost is to choose as early a memory as possible…
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Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Amazing to see things I’ve never experienced yet you ground the story in emotions we can all recognize.
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I think that is the wonderful thing about writing. If you can get the emotion the writing becomes universal as we have all experienced emotions of a similar nature no matter where we live.
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This is a very powerful memory Irene, the first photo, goodness, something I’ve never seen before. I love your family photos. You really do bring out the very strong emotions you felt as a girl about your cousin and the threat you felt in her relationship with your brother. This piece reminded me of a few conflicting emotions from my own childhood, also to do with my brother. I feel your sense of victory. Excellently written my friend, once again, thank you for your open, honest heart. I’ll be in touch and see you soon ❤
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Thanks Sherri. I have to admit I hope never to see the likes of the first photo again although next weeks archives will show another dissected whale but this time in Greenland. Funny how our brothers roused such emotion in us. Yes victory this time but not the next. Sadly our rivalry grew as we got older and I have only seen my cousin once since I left home. One day if I ever go to Melbourne I will catch up with her. Be interesting to know whether she knew we had an issue or whether it was all just me. Have a great weekend Sherri. I’m in New Zealand so I’m definitely planning to. ❤
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I’m just getting to your reply Irene so I hope you are having a fantastic time in New Zealand, wow! Seems a lot of people are going there at the moment…did you bump into Geoff by any chance? We had a lovely weekend thanks…now I get to look forward to Christmas when the boys are once again back in town! See you soon my friend 🙂 ❤
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Just here for a conference so haven’t seen much at all and not seen Geoff who is no doubt bungy jumping and trying to keep his retinas intact. Glad you had a lovely weekend. Not long for you to wait ’til Christmas. ❤ 🙂
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Haha…yes, no doubt! Ahh…hope the conference is going well…and yes, not long 🙂 ❤ 😀
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