A picture taken at Fazakerley by Mrs. Roberts of the
Africa
n Churches
Mission. The occasion was the "Visiting Day" when friends and family
were allowed into the Home to visit us. The playing field where the photograph
was taken holds many memories for me. Some of the children on the snap are from
left to right, Gladys the only white girl at the Mission who joined us at the
Cottage Homes, Adrian who appeared in the Brown Babies film, and who I had not
seen
for 42 years until then. I am pictured at the far right front row, with
Sylvia just behind me. I have never met either Gladys or Sylvia for in excess of
49 years. I am sorry about the quality of the picture but I have carried this
snap about with me for many many years. Lots of children never received a visit from their
real families, and although my mother unknown to me lived only 3 miles from
Fazakerely, I never did receive a visit or a Christmas & birthday card from her. Shortly
after I arrived at the orphanage I was admitted to the Fazakerely Hospital, and
the doctors feared for my life and called for my mother. According to the Social
Services of Liverpool my mother "does not seem to have been in touch with
the department" Such behaviour from a mother leaves one wondering if she
was suffering from dry rot of the soul. Certainly my mother seems to
lack the affection that the mother Rudyard Kipling writes about.
IF I
were hanged on the highest hill,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
I know whose love would follow me still,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
If I were drowned in the deepest sea,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine !
I know whose tears would come down to me,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine !
If I were damned of body and soul,
I know whose prayers would make me whole,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
Emmanuel Church of England in Longmoor Lane Fazakerley where I
and so many children from the Cottage Homes were baptised just prior to taking
our first holy communion
