Today we remember my Old Granny and celebrate 81st birthday.
Her name is Marie (pronounced mar-ee) and she passed away when I was 5 years old.
{Grandad
remarried a few years after Old Granny died, which I guess is the
reason my young siblings and I nicknamed her “Old Granny” not to be
confused with the new!}
Being
so young, I don’t remember a lot about her. But I do remember soft
cuddles and when she would drive us in the car without touching the
steering wheel and amaze us with her “no hands” trick! I do have a vague
memory of sitting in the chapel at her funeral and the coffin sitting
at the front of the room. Mum says that at the beginning of the funeral,
I said is a very loud (and I’m sure, high pitched) voice “I know who’s
in that box!”
 |
| {Lil was sure this photo of Carli and I was a photo of her and Maya!} |
do know that she was loved by all. She was a spectacular Mother, and
yearned so much for Motherhood. After difficulty having her own children
she adopted 3 more who are as much a part of our family as everyone
else.
have always loved this photo – I love that it’s not all smiles and
posing. And I love the vintage house details and reminder that we are so
very fortunate. Grandad says that they had just moved to Tasmania from
Sydney and it was freezing cold. This photo was taken on Christmas Day
and Granny was so cold (I think there was snow on the mountains) and
grumpy about it that she spent the day with her feet in a bucket of hot
water trying to keep warm!
The rain started sprinkling down while we were there. Just light enough not to be a bother but enough to remind us that although the memories are sweet, her departure is just as sad and difficult for those left behind, particularly Grandad and her five children.
Before we left home, I sent the kids over to our neighbour’s house to collect flowers for the grave. (Our garden is low in the floral department and Mrs Polley is away for a few months and won’t mind!) Lil carefully placed the flowers in an Urban Flower-worthy arrangement.
Grandad asked us to visit her grave more often and talk to her, he said that it is important that we talk to her. And we will. I know I still have a lot to learn about life and sacrifice and commitment from her and Grandad. Their lives were 100% devoted to family and the church.
I wish my memories of Old Granny weren’t 26 years old. I
wish she could hold her great-grandchildren and share her mothering
advice with us and be the one telling us that she hated being cold when
they moved to Tasmania.
But we have stories and memories and a growing family, Marie June…your legacy lives on. I hope we make you proud.
