Generations of Memories

The bookshelf is crowded with photos. Old hands reach out to dust an antique frame at the back, a fading sepia-toned image of an older woman holding a baby at the Royal Easter Show.

It’s a photo of this grandma, but when she was a baby at her very first Easter Show. She doesn’t remember the photo being taken of course, but she remembers vividly the stories her Grandmother told her a thousand times about that day. It’s a story full of sheep and cows and horses, things she could never see on any ordinary day. These are the memories that she grew up making every year and continues now with her own grandchildren.

Some of Grandma’s favourite memories are of holding babies as they sleep before the fireworks start, tomato sauce-stained cheeks, sweaty hair and all. She has a photo from every year with a baby on her lap at the Show. They take pride of place on that bookshelf, dozens of them squeezed together.

To be honest, going to the Easter Show is not only about the animals they get to see, it’s the pure delight on her grandchildren’s faces as they get to feel the soft wool of a lamb and watch the Clydesdale’s crossing the street. This is why this Grandma brings her grandchildren every year, the same way her Grandmother brought her. And, possibly at this age, they won’t remember everything, but she’ll tell them the stories about the photos and selfies they take this year. And they’ll have a lifetime of memories of the Easter Show just like she does.

Not too long ago, or so it seems, it was her own baby on her lap at the Show, now it’s her grandchildren on her lap, and the joy and wonder of the animals and the rides imprints itself deeper. Grandma is a little sad that the day will be over too soon, but she knows that this time next year there’ll be a new grand baby joining them, and she can’t wait to hold her at the Show. There’s room for another photo on that bookshelf, she’ll make room.

What memories do you look forward to making this year? With all your family’s favourite things to see and do, plus all the new activities, carnival rides and amazing new food options, the Easter Show is still the best place to be. Come and make more family memories at the Sydney Royal Easter Show!