As said before I grew up in a house with grandparents in their 70s, a father with TB and mother with various ailments from time to time.
I think my only stay in hospital was around age 3, when I had my tonsils out. I remember that time with vivid clarity. The crisply starched nurses aprons, and the different caps for the seniority of each. The watches hanging from a fob, at the top of their apron bib, so they could lift it up to check the time when they checked your pulse. The bed sheets firmly tucked in, then folded down during the day so you couldn't cover up at all. The smells. The scared children. The parents coming, bringing balloons and toys. They let me catch measles so I'd be immune late in life, and hoped that I'd also catch mumps, but I didn't. I have an idea they also wanted me to catch German measles, but again, I didn't. I can remember whooping cough going around, and it seemed like I was in there forever. It was pre-tv, and I was too young to read, so it probably was 'forever' (around 2 weeks).
The hospital was old, and I loved old buildings, so all was fascinating to me. I remember my Dad bringing me icecream for my throat, but have an idea that it didn't stay down.
What bought back a flood of these memories was tidying up a room - and I came across an old suitcase of Mum's. Barely more than cardboard with her name in permanent ink inside the lid.
Each of us had a suitcase packed under our beds for an unexpected hospital trip. Periodically the contents were taken out and rotated, or replaced. But there were 'sample' sizes of personal toiletries - soap, powder, etc. combs/brushes, shavers for the men, and of course, toothpaste and toothbrushes. A personal towel. Several pairs of pyjamas, or nightdresses in the case of my Nan. These were often much grander than the ones we wore usually. A dressing gown (robe), usually chenille, which was so popular at the time - matching our bed spreads.
It took me a long time to realize that I didn't have to keep a suitcase 'at the ready', although sometimes I think that it's not too bad an idea. I certainly could have used one back in 1993 when I went to the hospital to find out the results of an xray and was admitted to hospital with no prior notice.
I'm not sure if other families did this, but suspect some possibly did.
I borrowed the image from the web. If you need me to take it down I will. The suitcases were virtually identical to the top one in the photo.
