Dad - my Dad, Cyril George Brown, was born March 22nd, 1930, in London. I don't know exactly how long he was in the UK for, but it wasn't long. By the time he was in primary school he was already in Hong Kong (or possibly Shanghai or Macau). Alas some of the details are a little sketchy.
My cousin Phil is a writer for News Limited, based in Brisbane. He is also an author and a Hong Kong tragic like the rest of the family. "The Kowloon Kid" is going to be his latest offering to the literary world and I can't wait for it. He generously sent me a sample chapter recently - one specific to my dad - which both brought warm feelings to my heart and a tear to my eye.
Mum was born Ruth Caroline Schneider, in Stralsund, on the north-east coast of Germany, on January 14th 1938. She is still going strong these days, even at the ripe age of 81. Then again, her mother Rosa (affectionately known as Omi) made it to 99, so the Schneider's are known for their longevity. Well, mostly anyway. The youngest of the four kids in my Mum's family, our dear Aunty Heidi, passed away last year. What a beautiful person she was too. More to come on the extended family, for now I am focusing on this latest generation of the Browns.
That's my mum and dad, I assume not long after they were married. That would make the photo circa 1956. What a beautiful couple!
Mum and Dad had four kids. The eldest, Michael, was born in 1957. Then came the twins, Peter and Veronica, in 1959. It wasn't until 1972 that I came along, albeit as an accident! Sadly, only four of us remain, with both my dad and eldest brother no longer with us. But, as I am learning, and seriously the hard way, such is life. We are here but for a fleeting moment. Boy oh boy we seriously need to make the most of the time given to us.
I think I'll leave this post here, now having introduced everyone in my immediate family. Future posts will focus on specific people, as well as my own family and extended family!
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