The picture above — that we ran on web page 1 of the Herald final week — introduced again so many recollections for Camille Gravallese.
She’s the one searching the window within the North End with one among her 4 kids wanting on as Queen Elizabeth II made her historic go to to Boston in 1976. (I wrote about all of it final week right here…)
But there’s an uncanny parallel that may’t go untold.
Camille, now 85 and dwelling in Methuen, was a single mother on the time and stated this morning she would take her kids to such occasions to present them some pleasure, historical past, entry — all freed from cost. When instances are robust, mothers get artistic.
Say what you’ll in regards to the monarchy, however it’s essential to admit Queen Elizabeth II needed to step up and be a frontrunner when her children and nation wanted it most.
Camille stated she understood that then and extra so at present.
“Seeing my photo on the front page brought back so many nice memories for me,” she stated. “I used to be a younger divorced mom and wished to do issues for my kids that was thrilling and didn’t value me any cash.
” instructed all my kids ‘If I have to work hard, you have to work hard.’ They all are fabulous and properly educated,” Camille stated. “This queen was remarkable. And stable for so many years.”
You may say the identical about Camille. She stitched collectively all of the part-time jobs she may whereas nonetheless caring for “four kids I had in five years” — that could be a handful of pleasure. Ultimately, she opened Camille Gravallese Jewelry, within the Jewelers Building.
Camille, as a Herald reader who made it again within the information, you need to be a Queen for a day!!!
Source: www.bostonherald.com”