E.B.N.

My Gran died last night. She was ninety-three. As Dad says, “She has had a good innings.” Gran came to live with our family when I was eight, and my dad built her a special granny-flat downstairs. It was so cool to be always welcome to “pop down to Gran’s”.

Gran, you were such a gentle matriarch, a beacon of feminism. You’re so independent, but very involved behind the scenes, and such a support to my working mum and dad- getting all the washing in, and weeding and watering the veggies.. and you were always home when we came in from school. I remember lots of cups of tea upstairs, cryptic crosswords with Mum, and you going to university during your ‘retirement’ !!
I loved the times when you’d ooh and ahh over my teen sewing creations; you were always available to listen, occasionally passing on a piece of sage advice, but never pressing your views. I remember being at home, sick with a cold when I was little, and you made me mushroom soup for lunch! I still have a love affair with soup.
And as my own babies arrived, they grew up on “popping down to Gran’s” for a chat and a little watch of the telly. Thanks for being so available.
You had a dry, yet hilarious sense of humour, often coming up with a witty rhyme or remark.. you kept us smiling.

It was during Mum and Dad’s stay with us this week, as Mum and I were sewing together, that we got a phone call from your wonderful nurse, explaining that you were ready to go. Mum talked to you on the phone and gave you all of our love. You passed during the night.
I am happy for you and the memories we have. Thank you for being such a huge part of our lives and imparting a strong sense of Girl Power to me. You were a “keeper of the faith”. I pray that I will pass on the baton too.