THROUGH THE YEARS
By Anne Griffith (Hannah Fulford)

We thank God for our parents Michael and Christine Fulford. Our father was a fisherman. He worked very hard to make a living for us. Our mother gave birth to twelve children. Many a time we were not sure that she would live through some of her pregnancies. She never complained and always said that she had a special place in-her heart for each of us. It wasn't easy to raise such a big family but they did a great job. They seemed to be able to give us what we needed - not necessarily everything we wanted, thank goodness. Their dedication is certainly appreciated by all of us.

I was raised by my paternal grandmother, Mrs. Ellen Fulford (Nanny Fulford). I had the best of both worlds because I had my parents, brothers and sisters living close by. Actually, it was a perfect set up to get away with plenty - and I did! I remember many times I went ‘over home’ (Mom's and Dad's house) and would start a fight with one or many of my siblings. When things didn't go my way, I scampered back to Nanny's house where I could do no wrong. Nanny was a kind and loving lady. She was quick to give anyone a hug. She trusted me completely and I am humbled to have had her in my life. She also helped raise our brother, Charlie. She and our uncles would have taken all of us and raised us if they could have. When my sister Theresa was a baby, she had to stay at Nanny's house for a while because my mother was sick. When Mom felt better, my father came and took Theresa home. Uncle Leo came home later that day and when he saw the empty crib, he held Theresa's blanket and cried into it because he didn't want her to leave.

Nanny and Grandfather Fulford had seven children. Our father was the only one of the seven to have children. Hence, our uncles, Din and Leo, and Aunt Hannah Pitcher were always involved in our lives. Sometimes they were too involved! Even Mrs. Bride Fulford was known to give her five cents worth when least expected! If it takes a village to raise children, then we had two villages! In retrospect, I appreciate their love and concern.

We didn't know our grandfathers and I was only eight years old when Mom's mother, Mrs. Mae Fitzgerald (Nanny Fitz) passed away. I remember very clearly that she died a horrible death from cancer.
Back then, all the doctors could do was give her a few pain pills and send her home to die. She was a beautiful lady and I wish we could have many more years with her. It was also sad because she left a
very young family without a mother. They are Ned and Dominic who now live in Placentia, and Maurice and Vince whom have since passed away.

Jimmy Barrett was another important person in my life. He was a gentle, kind man who told great stories albeit he stretched the truth! People enjoyed having him tell their fortune. I can see the twinkle in his eyes as he tried to second - guess their acceptance of what he had told them. He always made me feel special. Every Christmas he would tell me that he had seen Santa Claus ‘out over the hills’ and he was going to bring me lots of things for Christmas because I had been good. I don't remember the presents but I surely remember Jimmy's warm, kind words. I can still see Aunt Mary Fulford wearing her big, white apron. She was a sweet, generous lady who always seemed to find a way to give little presents to everybody at Christmas. Mr. Paul Wilson's pew was behind ours and he helped us through many long sermons by telling us funny stories. He was such a very nice man.

Today, Jenny, Loretta, and I and our families live near each other in Massachusetts. Theresa is only a few hours away in New York. Marianne, Eddie and their families live fairly close to each other outside Toronto. Leonard, Charlie and Wayne and their families live near each other in the Placentia area. Our half brother, Dennis Walsh lives in Petite Forte. He is easy to talk to and very friendly. We are glad he is a part of our family. Jenny is not only my sister but also my best friend. To this day, we can practically read each other's mind. Loretta is almost five years younger than I am. Being younger meant that she could not always hang out with us because she was sometimes known to ‘tell on us!“ She still hasn't let us forget about it! Jenny and Loretta were always willing to help take care of our family when mom wasn't feeling well. Supposedly, I explained the facts of life to Marianne. To this day, she reminds me that I didn't do a very good job! I once cut Theresa's bangs too short and then lathered her forehead with a bar of soap hoping to make her hair grow back right away. Leonard was our first boy. We were all so excited! I was told to get Mrs. Kate Wilson. I didn't know what to say to her, but thank God, she knew what to do. Eddie was our second boy and we were now getting the hang of having cute brothers around the house. Ellen, our youngest sister, was a real cute baby. We older sisters loved dressing her and felt she was our baby. I was fifteen when Charlie was born. Mom was very sick after his birth and for weeks afterward was not expected to live. Nanny was about eighty-five at that time but quickly offered to take care of Charlie. Uncle Din, Jimmy and I also helped. Wayne was our next brother. Then Jerry, our youngest was born. They played together and were so close in age that they were like twins. Jerry passed away suddenly when he was around twenty-two months. Wayne was too young to realize what had happened. He kept asking Mom and Dad where Jerry had gone. Jerry's death was difficult for all of us but it was almost more than our parents could bear.

Dave and I will be married thirty-four years this March 19! Dave was born in Michigan. We met at a dance on the base in Argentia and the rest is history! We have been blessed with three children, David, Michelle, and Stacey. David will marry a lovely lady named Josie this May 20. Michelle and her husband Andy will be married ten years in July. We think of Andy as another son. They have our wonderful grandson, Jack who was two in December. They are expecting a second child in August! Stacey, our youngest, is finishing nursing school in May and is dating a very nice man named Andrew.

I have wonderful memories about the people from ‘home’. We were fortunate to grow up in Merasheen where so many people cared about each other. The riches we had in each other were priceless. I have only been back to the island twice since resettlement. I often I think about the island and everybody from there. There are many times I close my eyes and I see everything as if used to be. I still have a hard time accepting the fact that our roots are no longer there. The goodness that came from the island will live on in us and our children. Best wishes to everyone and hopefully we will all meet again someday.