A Mere Coincidence Or An Actual Godwink?

In today’s post, I’m wondering if you think what happened in Newfoundland was a mere coincidence or an actual Godwink.

I previously left you with a teaser of a stained glass figure and suggested you check out “Mummering in Newfoundland and Labrador…”   Today, I’m sharing why.

But first, some background.

As many of you know, Francine, my mom, passed away over a year ago.

Tomorrow is a special day –  our dear gal would be turning 103.

Frances, Francine, Frankie

Named Frances after her mother, Mom preferred, “Frankie.” Yet, regular readers of Just TypiKel know her as Francine. What’s that about? Well, as I mention in my coming-of-age memoir, Never, Never, Hardly Ever – A Mother/ Daughter Story of Antiques and Antics, this special nickname originated at a Boxing Day party in Hawaii. Much to our delight, our hosts, whom we’d just met, introduced her as “Francine, the children’s book author.”

We’ve no idea how they came up with either the name or the career. For back then, Frankie taught adults as a Lecturer in the department of Fine Arts at the University of British Columbia …

Yes, “Frankie.” So, why do I keep referring to her as Francine? I liken the situation to Goldilocks and the three bears.

It just felt wrong calling her “Mom” when we worked together in her iconic Vancouver antique store, Frankie Robinson Oriental Gallery (FROG). In the early days, when I couldn’t sell to save myself, I didn’t want anyone to know she was my mother. I dreaded the inevitable, “Oh, Kelly’s your daughter …”

Ouch.

Calling out,”Mom!” left me feeling I was that sad sack who couldn’t get a job anywhere else.

Once I finally learned how to sell and started pulling my weight in the shop, it didn’t fit to be calling her “Frankie.” That’s what the customers called her.

“Francine” felt just right.

And it stuck. Mom loved I wrote about her as Francine. She said it made her feel special. However, outside of the family and you guys, Mom preferred to be called “Frankie.”

The Best of Friends

While Francine had friends of all ages in the latter decade of her life, she had a special place in her heart for James. Officially, my sister’s employee and while James became an extension of the family, he called mom, Frankie.  A kind and generous soul, nothing was too much for him when it came to Francine.

When he retired, James returned to his home province of Newfoundland. Fast forward to this August, and we made plans to catch up in St. John’s.

My daughter and I spent that morning tootling about the Newfoundland coastline. We stopped in for lunch at Chafe’s Landing Restaurant in the town of Petty Harbour, where  I enjoyed my first ever lobster roll. If you’re ever in Petty Harbour, stop in and order one.

A Mere Coincidence Or An Actual Godwink?

As I may have mentioned once or a zillion times before, I’m a stickler for authentic souvenirs. I will only buy ones made in the area, not ones designed in the area and made in another country. It was such a treat to we stumble into Herbie’s Olde Shoppe and discover they only stock pieces made by Newfoundland artisans. I was in heaven. Woolens, stained glass, hooked rugs, paintings, cards … oh my!

The wall was dressed with dozens of stained glass items from dories to mummers. I was drawn to the latter. James introduced me to the Mummering concept. He’d explained how in the 12 days leading up to Christmas, many Newfoundlanders dress as mummers in elaborate disguises. They pop over to friends and neighbours, and entertain them by playing instruments, singing, dancing and telling stories. Their hosts offer them food and drink while trying to guess their identities.

Knowing one of these stained glass gems could be the perfect ticket for him, I sought help.

“Can you please tell me which of the stained glass mummers is the most traditional?” I asked.

“You’re askin’ the right person, dear,” the elderly woman assured me. “I make all the stained glass pieces here. Now, you’ll be wantin’ one playin’ a squeeze box. They’re sold out, I think, but let’s have a look.”

I followed her about the shop as she peered behind quilts and framed hooked rugs and under piles of woolen scarves. I was losing hope when she suddenly squealed, “I’ve found one!”

“Each one gets their own name,” she advised me, peering over her glasses. “Will this do?”

I glanced at the tag and froze.

Yes, there was just one squeeze box playing mummer left and its name was Fun Lovin’ Frankie.

A Mere Coincidence Or An Actual Godwink? I’m leaning to the latter and I know what one person would say.

“Oh, Kel! What a find.”

Yes – Francine would be absolutely thrilled Fun Lovin’ Frankie went to James.

But enough. Over to you. I’m curious. Do you think the fact James’s mummer is called “Fun Lovin’ Frankie” is a mere coincidence or an actual Godwink?