Dear Jessica Brennan,
It was so difficult to say goodbye to our English relatives after the holidays. I have been thinking about them a lot and what they bring with them to Canada when they come from Yorkshire. Yorkshire people are an extension of Yorkshire itself and carry in their bones a deep tradition and pride of queen and country. They enjoy the finer and often smaller things that life offers them, like the joy of hot tea and fish ‘n chips from the chippie on a drizzly day.
They do have a way with words, and have an affection for someone named Billy, who may be William Shakespeare (not sure), and they refer to him often. Eeh, it’s black o’er Billy’s mother’s today! E’s a right Billy-no-mates! Watch out for Billy whizz you Silly-Billy!
Tha’ knows, their eternal coolness mirrors the very stone walls that surround their countryside and their warm laughs are like a roaring fire in’t pub. They work hard and know that where there’s muck, there’s brass and their balanced outlook on life is required to weather the beauty of the elements that only a Yorkshire landscape can provide. They are steady even when they are only fair t’middlin and believe that owt’s better than nowt. With humour so dry it must wear wellies, and an appreciation for all they have and all they receive, they are people who I love and admire. Because we were right chuffed to have them visit, I thought I would leave you with some Yorkshire words to live by:
Ear all, see all, say nowt. Eat all, sup all, pay nowt. And if ever thou does owt fer nowt – allus do it fer thissen.
Goodbye fair rellies, hope to sithee soon.
Love Mum xo
