You can probably guess where this is going.
Those of you who saw #MySundayPhoto this week will know that the start of the new year brought with it the death of my Granny, my dad’s mum.
She was 95 (and a half โ sheโd have wanted me to add the half) and had pneumonia, so it wasnโt entirely unexpected, and we all had a chance to say goodbye.
Even so, her loss is keenly felt and Iโm so sad she wonโt get to meet her fourth great-grandchild, although she did feel him or her kick before she died. If only sheโd hung on for another month.
I’m finding itย especially strange preparing for a birth in the wake of a death โ buying newborn nappies while wondering what to wearย to her funeral – but I guess thatโs life: it carries on regardless, and the new baby is her legacy.
As always when someone dies all sorts of memories come flooding back, so I’ve put mine together in a last letter to my Granny.
A last letter to my Granny
I’ve never met anyone quite like you,
You let us get away with anything from as young as two.
From jumping on beds,
To climbing the coal shed,
You indulged us something rotten,
Which will never be forgotten.
You’d give us salt for our crisps,
And stuff the larder with gifts,
Like fancy biscuits and cakes,
Whichย you let us eatย until our tummies ached.
We always had lots of fun,
Like the time we had to run,
Through the street in bin bags for coats,
Beforeย itย turned into a moat.
You’d say what you saw,
Which could have been a flaw,
But your observations were always so funny,
And usually on the money.
Your legacy is the children,
Whose lives have just begun,
Weโll make sure your memory always lives on,
Becauseย yourย love can never be undone.
Linking up with…
What lovely memories you have – and what a beautiful poem. Sadly my grandma died when I was about 9 so I don’t remember much about her. You’ve got some lovely times to look back on though.
We’ve been very lucky that she lived to such a grand old age and all of us have great memories x
So sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing lady and what a long life! The poem is a lovely memory for you all. I lost my Grandma last year at 95, similarly. It’s expected but still so sad. Hope you coping ok xx #marvmondays
Yes I remember your posts about it well. Even when they’ve had a long and happy life it’s still so sad x
A touching tribute she would be proud of x #MarvMondays
I hope so – wherever she is x
Lovely memories and lovely words. She would have been proud, I’m sure.
I hope so…
This gave me goosebumps, thank you for sharing your letter and I’m so sorry for your loss.
It sounds like you have plenty of memories to cherish and pass down to your children so they know what a lovely lady she was.
xx
#PostsFromTheHeart
Yes that’s very true – there are lots of stories to tell the children!
Oh hun, so sorry for your loss! My granny died nearly 8 years ago now, and I’m still as heartbroken now as I was then! Beautiful post xxxx
Thank you xx
This is absolutely gorgeous and what an amazing age to have reached. So lovely you have so many memories to cherish. Thanks for joining us for #marvmondays x
There are just so many things to remember her by and for – she was quite a character!
Aw this made me tearful xx we lost husbands nan back in august 2016, in the 9 years i’d known her she’d become family, but I didn’t expect to see her face almost every day, every little old lady now makes me double take. Thoughts are with you hun xx #postsfromtheheart
It’s funny how that happens isn’t it…thanks so much for your thoughts x
Oh honey such a lovely letter, i am so sorry you have had such a sad time. It is so hard to say goodbye. Big Hugs xoxo #twinklytuesday
There are lots of positives too – she had an amazingly long and happy life and was surrounded by family at the end x
Hey gorge,
I love this, but admit I couldn’t read it just yet. Its been 18 months since my dear nanny died and I still find it so hard to even think about. all the boohoos for this one.
I’m sure its a wonderful tribute, and she will be looking down on you- proud to be part of your blog!
big love, L xx
Oh no – didn’t mean to bring it up sad memories for you! xx
What a wonderful lady and a great inspiration to those dear to her. I hope she is reading this from a cloud somewhere xx #TwinklyTuesday
That would be nice xx
What an utterly beautiful post, there were more than a few tears in my eyes as a I read it. My own grandma died only a couple of months before we found out I was expecting, and will always wish she had lived long enough firstly to know he was on the way, but secondly to hold him. She was the baby expert in our family and my rock when I had my first daughter, so I totally understand how you feel. You’re right though they will never be forgotten, their legacy is our children. Thank you so much for linking this up to #PostsFromTheHeart I feel privileged to have read it x
Thank you! My Granny absolutely adored her great-grandchildren and always had such a contented look on her face when she was with them. Her eyes would literally light up when she saw them…
Oh I am so sorry for the loss of your Granny, she sounds like an amazing lady. I am so glad that she lived a long and full life, I think that is always a comfort to know. My Grandad died last year aged 99 and although I was sad, I was so proud of everything he had achieved and all of the hearts he had touched. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. #TwinklyTuesday
I think it does make a difference when someone has had a long and happy life x
Sorry to hear about the loss of your granny lovely. This is a beautiful poem and a lovely way for you to cherish the lovely memories you have xx #postsfromtheheart
Thank you xx
Beautiful. I’m so sorry for your loss, especially at this time of year – it seems so much harder. #postsfromtheheart
I guess there’s never a good time, but these things always seem to happen in the winter…
Aw, that is just beautiful! I’m so sorry to hear of your granny’s passing but what a sweet tribute to her.
Thanks x
What a lovely heartfelt letter xxx we’re so sorry for your loss. Sounds like you have some wonderful memories of her x #TwinklyTuesday
Yes we do xx
I am so sorry for your loss, I am sure she will be looking down on your new addition x
I hope so!x
Beautiful tribute. She was clearly a very special and loved lady x
Thank you xx
I’m so sorry for your loss, but I can understand the loss. Right after giving birth to my daughter two years ago, my granny passed away too. I couldn’t fly back home because my baby didn’t have a passport yet, and I didn’t want to leave her behind. It was really sad because while I was celebrating the birth of my child I was also mourning the loss of my Grandma who gave us so much. Your poem was wonderful and touching. Thank you for sharing this with us. ๐ #postsfromtheheart
That is sad – what a horrible position to be in…
I lost my beloved nan 15 years ago and not one day goes by I don’t miss her. Your post really hit a nerve with me as i too used to climb on the coal bunkers and my nans larder was always brimming with food.I was the last person to see my nan before she passed and without know it we said goodbye to each other. Now i need a tissue. Ha ha ha #PostsFromTheHeart
Sorry – didn’t mean to upset you! It occurred to me kids today probably don’t even know what a coal shed is…
What a lovely post. So sorry to hear of your loss. I know what you mean about the weird feeling of preparing for a birth at this time, my dad died when I was 7 months pregnant so I had the same thing. Someone once said that it was their way of making room in the world for the little one which I thought was a nice thing to hear. Hope you are OK. Thanks for linking up linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
That IS a nice thing to hear x
Such a lovely poem and photograph. I hope my grandchildren feel the same way about me as you felt about your grandmother.
I hope mine do too!
I bet you gave her a whole life of love and laughter
#postsfromtheheart
I hope so – what a lovely thought x
Ahr this is beautiful, so sorry for your loss but so beautiful that you got to make such wonderful memories with her x #postsfromtheheart
Thank you – we had her funeral this week which was sad but also a celebration of her life x
Such lovely final words to your Granny. I’m sure she will watch down closely over her new great-grandchild, as as well as her others. You will be able to tell them lovely stories about her I’m sure.
Sadly, I lost my grandma not long before Christmas and it came very suddenly. Ever so hard for my sister and I, as we lost our dad (her son) only a year before. Together we stay strong and remember the happy times.
I saw you on Good Morning Britain this morning and I’m very happy to have found your blog ๐
I’m new to the blogging world and enjoying it very much!
Have a super day ๐
Thanks for your lovely words! Yes we will have lots of stories to tell the children about their great granny – she was a remarkable woman in so many ways. Good luck with your blog x