5 On the following Sunday, a memorable reception was held at the Mickan home, or should I say another wedding celebration was held. It was for daughter Elizabeth and for her husband Trugott Pannach and also for Christianne and Andreas. On the Sunday morning that followed, all the family at the Mickan household attended church service. A neighbour Auntie Schmidt, did the preparations and cooking for the celebration. I remember quite a lot of what I have been told, concerning this, shall I say family gathering, also some close family friends, the Mickan’s at that time, had seventeen grandchildren, who saw their new Auntie for the first time, and I feel sure it must have been an exceptional happy and very wonderful celebration. There is not very much I have been informed in reference to Andreas, and his young wife first married year. I am aware that they were invited to all of the immediate relatives, periodically, something I remember is this, Christianne, established a “life-long” friendship with the young generation at that period of time, my opinion and my verdict is, A very happy first year in Wedlock, for Christianne and Andreas. And this the following has just crossed my mind that both the young couples the Pannachs and the Mickan’s, all drove the family buggy together to visit the Lindners'. Lena nee Mickan and her husband William were living on a farm at Burrumbuttock, at that time, and they spent a very happy and enjoyable day and I remember being told , when they were driving home they enjoyed having a sing song together and I presume it was a moonlit bliss. This is the beginning of the second chapter I am about to write in reality namely only my Life Story. On pages nine and ten and eleven I have given a description of the house Andreas Mickan built on their farm at Walla Walla with the help of their son Andreas, and their friend’s sons, also gave a helping hand, the bedroom I, previously mentioned, became Christianne and Andreas bedroom. And now, an event took place at the Mickan household on July 22nd 1885. The time was six P.M. Christianne gave birth to a baby girl. The midwife was Mother Wenke, affectionately known, and respected, by a very wide circle of her friends at Walla Walla and surrounding localities. Imagine the excitement when I was born, a picture within itself, as Mother Wenke was holding yes me…. in her arms, and saying Andreas, ..here…I present you with your little daughter…and placed me into my father’s arms, and a new grand daughter for my grandparents, and the first grandchild to live in the same dwelling with them. I remember being told my Grandfather..carrying me and singing, I shall write the following in three languages… My dear grandfather sang as follows – Wendish…. Spinkah, Lanekah, Spinkah, Spinkah, German… Schlaaf, Lenchen, Schlaaf, schlaaf.. Australian – English Sleep Laynie, Sleep Sleep Then I can also imagine my peoples closest neighbours Auntie and Uncle Schmidt, coming over to congratulate my dear parents, on my birth … The above mentioned, my Grandfather – carrying me around, must have taken place, after I was christened … “O memories that bless…now and for evermore…
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