by Eva Turrell
I have met Matej at our local meditation group. He has come to England from Eastern Europe (Chehoslovakia) shortly before the Second World War. I asked Matej to write about his home and here are his words:
“I live in North London in a 80 years old brick house with a traditional bay window in the sitting room. This faces South whereas the kitchen and dining room face North. I lived in this house, my home, for 59 years. My wife died in 2009. We were married for 62 years during which time my wife created our home. Two of our children were born at home.
When we purchased the house we had very little money and it took several years to furnish our home. I made book shelves which are still here, filled with books. Our home was not only where the six of us lived but which over the years became the hub of local activities. I was secretary and chairman of the local amenity society (which has more than 1000 members) but also chairman of the Horticultural Society and my wife was president of the Historical Society. Many meetings were held in our home and the children often had their friends at home. In the summer we had a plastic bath in the garden and sometimes some 20 children would enjoy the water.
My family still have the keys to our home and though they live elsewhere they still feel at home when they come and visit me.”
On the theme of HOME, Winter 2011