Shirley the child

Shirley -the child 

And what a very plain little child at that!!.I think this photo was kept hidden away for years. Those are not special effects around the edges .It's the real stuff- mildew. I must have been about 7 to 8 years old I guess when this was taken. I had the little girls' favorite hairstyle ,the plaits bordering the head and I still remember the struggle to get the hair all parted out and put into plaits and the ribbon on the end every day. 

I can tell from the homemade clothes this must have been soon after the war as the jumper ( sweater) was no doubt knitted by my Mum. Just everyone knew how to knit in those days and the skill was put to good use in making sure the kids were all clothed in warm woolies. The pinafort skirt has all the marks of being  home made as well.

I remember this time as being a pretty happy time- too young to realize what was going on in the world , enough to eat and a home which was safe and warm. Friends to play with and time and freedom to be a regular kid. We lived in a neighborhood where everyone knew each other and all the mums helped all the kids and a sense of belonging prevailed. The only thing that was miserable were sweeties ( candies) were still rationed and you got them only once a week.! I remember it was about this time when I saw a banana for the first time. I had never seen one before.