Hello Everyone!
I think I should pre-empt this weeks column with a few words of warning!
One: it’s a bit soppy. Two: it’s a bit of a personal thank you. Three: it’s a bit soppy!
Brits in LA is many things – a social networking group, a place to sell your old sofa, a helpline when you have no one else to ask, or a forum to blow your own trumpet! For me it is all of those things but also so much more that can’t quite be put into words. Last year I realized I should not try to box and label it, as through Brits in LA I was able to reconnect with a very important person in my life. VIP is bandied about so much these days that when one turns to use it, it actually sounds quite trivial! In this case I mean it in the truest sense.
Erin Pizzey’s name was often mentioned when I was growing up – little did I know that she actually was a ‘ household name’ to many. It’s not something I talk about readily (probably due to my hesitancy to be labeled!), but I didn’t have the easiest of starts in life. Like many of us, I came from a broken home; but to make matters worse my father was a very violent man. Fortunately my mother wasn’t willing to put up with this and happened to chance upon a news report about Women’s Aid, one of the first refuges for battered women in the world. This was in the early 70’s when admitting to being a victim of domestic violence was still fairly taboo and wasn’t openly discussed.
So it was particularly brave of my mum when she chose to pack up as much as she could carry and get her children to safety. I think I was about two or three years old at the time so I don’t quite remember this eventful night! In spite of the fact that the refuge consisted of 9 rooms and housed approximately 100 people, it was our sanctuary.
Over the years in the back of my mind I have often thanked Erin Pizzey for all the opportunities I’ve had since….although I hadn’t seen her in about 38 years. I am certain that my controlling father would not have allowed me to do many things I have done, including making the move to America; therefore not becoming a part of Brits in LA, which has enabled me to ‘pay it forward’ including helping some who were in similar situations to my mother. So it is rather poignant and quite appropriate that I was able to connect with Erin as a result of Brits in LA.
I somehow discovered that her son was part of our community, so I reached out to him and lo and behold it turns out that she spends an awful lot of time here in Los Angeles….including this week when we finally got together again. It wasn’t a big tearful reunion, as I would say neither Erin or I let emotions get in the way, especially when we had so much to talk about – but it was very special nonetheless. And she is now an avid fan of our weekly Breakfast Club plus a very proud supporter of Brits in LA!
I wanted to share this story for many reasons; first to remind you all that even if you don’t get a good break right away you shouldn’t become a victim and it is worth persevering but also to give an example of how you being kind to someone many years ago can carry them through the rest of their life. This week Sir Nicholas Winton died, at the age of 106. He was an absolutely amazing man who took it upon himself to help so many people escape torture and death during WW2. His selfless acts of kindness led to saving over 600 people, who now like to refer to themselves as ‘Nicky’s Children’- of course they were very different circumstances, but I do think ‘Erin’s children’ are just as grateful to her too. I know I am!
If you are going through a situation you can’t cope with alone, please don’t hesitate to contact me at eileen@britsin.LA – if I can’t help, I will make sure to find someone that can.
Don’t forget to visit us as Britsin.LA to see what we have going on. Pub Quiz is every other Tuesday and our famous Breakfast Club is weekly, also on a Tuesday, rain or shine!
Cheers!
Eileen
photo of Eileen & Erin Pizzey at Breakfast Club
