Skip to main content

Gran Jean's Birthday

 

Gran Jean's Birthday 2020

When something significant happens, I feel a lot of pressure to say something profound. A wedding, a pregnancy, a milestone birthday, a death, an achievement, a disappointment... All of these moments are major occurrences and the pressure is on to say something powerful and to mean it!  So it's really bothered me that I haven't been able to put into words what has been swirling in my head since we received the news that our dear Gran Jean passed away in June.

When Gramps Ikey passed away ten years ago, the words fell into place almost instantly and I felt that they encapsulated both my memories and grief so well. But this time, between the distance and the unexpectedness of her passing, I am still in a state of disbelief today.

My Grandmother was so much more than the beesting cakes, lengthy special occasion speeches, homeopathic remedies, everyday life hacks and choice phrases that often come to mind - especially over these past two months - and as I think of these things now, the tears fall.

My Grandmother was a force. She taught me about confidence and compassion. She showed me the value of home-making and head-shaking, and she always pushed me to aim high. I never considered what life would be like without her presence and now it's here.

When we last saw each other in 2019, we greeted each other as if our separation would only be temporary and I hope that it is so. Watching you step into a new season of your life after Gramps passed away was such a learning opportunity for me and the biggest lesson I learnt was that nothing lasts forever, only Jesus.

Over the last ten years, as you held my babies, joked with my husband, prayed for us and wished us well, and Zoomed with us from faraway, I noticed how you started to forget some things, repeat other things and grow confused now-and-then. You were always a good sport about it and reinforced the saying that the best laughs to be had are when we laugh at ourselves!

Yet, never once did you mince your words about your faith and your deep desire for us to have the saving grace that you lived under. 

And this is my hope - when words fail, distance is too great and we cannot travel back in time - that you are in the place that you lived for, in the presence of your Saviour and that we will meet again, one day.


 

We love you, Nana.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The week that has been...

"Life as we see it", right? My time so far at the cycle tour office is reminding me of just how demanding life in this age can be - a time seeking instant solution and gratification: We want it now! We won't wait! This is what makes a relaxing, easy going activity seem so rewarding! We've always been fortunate enough to cook with pleasure - obviously more for mine! And since returning from BA, we've also found great enjoyment from leisurely strolls in the neighbourhood or at Sea Point promenade. Take time for this! Here's what we've been a part of this past week: We were encouraged to see a group of students from Bishops come out (even in the rain) and join with the FBC team in painting a mural on the school's new diningroom and kitchen wall. For news and updates visit: http://www.fbcschool.org.za/ We joined over 15 000 walkers in a quest to feed the hungry children in the Western Cape, by participaing in the Blisters for Bread walk on Sunday. We tackl...
1 comment
Read more

That's so amazing about Grace

Scrolling through some photos this afternoon, I came across one of our friend Tarrin-Rae and her new baby girl, Isla, born last Thursday 31 October 2013. Isla Grace Graham I struggled to contain my own emotions as I observed this special moment in Tarrin's life (and new Isla's too) and thought back to my own experiences. I immediately asked Tarrin if I may use this to share a bit more of what I some times feel as a Mom... At first glance, I see relief . She's finally here! We can see her face in real life and we can say out loud "I am a Mommy!" Like my own kids, Isla was in no hurry to be born and labour was induced. What's worse than having to wait 40 weeks to meet your newest family member?? Having to wait longer still! I must confess, that this feeling was mixed with a fair dose of disbelief  on my part too - when I sat quietly resting between visitors and feeds, I had to pinch my literal self and realise - the baby was here. Then I see comfort ....
5 comments
Read more

A home-made birthday

Due to the fact that we celebrated Jorja's birthday with the Weber and Wilcox families in the UK last year - over a few days and in various styles - we were a bit out of practice. In fact, if Jorja had not brought it to my attention with just two weeks to spare, I must confess that I would not have expected it to arrive for another few more weeks! But Moms could never let that seem to be the case, so we got cracking on 5th birthday celebration arrangements... On the night before, I set out every baking ingredient, apparatus and accessory that I could find and hoped that we would make it work! Aunty Robyn and Aunty Ilana arrived just in time to help us bake off the first round of vanilla cake pops and cookies with sprinkles. At this point, there was no turning back, our kitchen was already in a state of bake! The biscuit batch baked beautifully (and bountifully) and Jorja was well pleased with her assisted effort. As she head to bed on the eve of her birthday, I popped the...
2 comments
Read more