I have been very fortunate in my life. One of the things that I was fortunate to have in my life is I had grandparents. I would like to focus on my Dad's parents right now.
Let me tell you why. First off, I loved them very much. I was fortunate to know all of my grandparents, even if only for a little while, but knowing them allowed me to see as an adult how much their influence has had on my life. What wonderful loving people. All of them lived with integrity and love for all. My Nanny and Grampie just loved one another so much that being around them was not only infectious, but refreshing. Their love for each other and their family imprinted on me and shaped how I view my life and my family. Realizing what is important is life-changing. Those of us who has lost someone important in their lives know all too well what is the most important thing in our lives: family. Whether your family is your biological, or just the natural meeting of the minds, the closeness that you feel with your family is the most important thing in your life. Everyone needs to be loved and everyone needs to love.
My Nanny and Grampie were a good example of this. They cherished their family. They did not have much, but their house was never lacking in love. They loved one another, and loved and cherished their children and their grandchildren. There are so many things that I have learned from them, from my Dad, and things that I model my life after because of my grandparents.
Grampie was an honourable man, and I challenge anyone who does not think so. His love for all of his children was spoken of often. Grampie had a wonderful heart. The first and only time that I ever saw my grandfather cry was March 3rd, 1988. I still remember Grampie looking out the back door window, with tears running down his face. It was like he was looking to the sky for and answer to a question. My grandparents, both Nanny and Grampie were there.
My grandfather was illiterate. He was unable to read or write. However, he was an extremely intelligent man. You could never cheat while playing cards with him. Grampie's memory was infallible. Years ago, all of the grandchildren received a Christmas card from our Grampie. These cards were signed by my grandfather. Every year since, I have been putting this card up with all of the other Christmas cards. My grandfather passed away in December 1995. I haven't missed a Christmas. My grandmother passed away October 2012. I have a Christmas card signed by her as well. I do not know why, but it gives me comfort that my grandparents are a huge part of my Christmas traditions.
My Nanny was amazing. When you arrived there, she was always ready to have company. Her house was never messy, and she would always take something out of the freezer to feed you if she did not have any fresh fish on hand. You know what I loved about her the most: her laugh. Nanny had the best laugh. When Mairi was small, Nanny was visiting at the house in Sackville. Mairi must have been about two or two-and-a-half. Now my Nan would never swear, not in front of us, ever. I remember Nanny was sitting at the table and next to and across from her was Mairi. Nanny put her elbow on the table and her hand on her chin and with and exasperated sigh she looked at Mairi and said,"Oh, Sugar." Without missing a beat, Mairi being a mirror image to Nan, mimicked her physically, put her hand on her chin, and in the same tone said "Oh, Shit." Well I thought that Nanny was going to lose it. She cracked up laughing so hard. Perhaps it was that time that changed Mairi forever; Mairi does not swear either. Actually, just like Nan, Mairi is and always has been a lady. That was my Nan.
Yes she was a true lady. I miss Grampie and Nanny, but the memories that I have of them will carry on as long as I can tell the stories.
If we have love in our hearts, if we have love for one another; and if we love ourselves, our lives will never be empty.
As Always,
Happy Does It! :o)
Let me tell you why. First off, I loved them very much. I was fortunate to know all of my grandparents, even if only for a little while, but knowing them allowed me to see as an adult how much their influence has had on my life. What wonderful loving people. All of them lived with integrity and love for all. My Nanny and Grampie just loved one another so much that being around them was not only infectious, but refreshing. Their love for each other and their family imprinted on me and shaped how I view my life and my family. Realizing what is important is life-changing. Those of us who has lost someone important in their lives know all too well what is the most important thing in our lives: family. Whether your family is your biological, or just the natural meeting of the minds, the closeness that you feel with your family is the most important thing in your life. Everyone needs to be loved and everyone needs to love.
My Nanny and Grampie were a good example of this. They cherished their family. They did not have much, but their house was never lacking in love. They loved one another, and loved and cherished their children and their grandchildren. There are so many things that I have learned from them, from my Dad, and things that I model my life after because of my grandparents.
Grampie was an honourable man, and I challenge anyone who does not think so. His love for all of his children was spoken of often. Grampie had a wonderful heart. The first and only time that I ever saw my grandfather cry was March 3rd, 1988. I still remember Grampie looking out the back door window, with tears running down his face. It was like he was looking to the sky for and answer to a question. My grandparents, both Nanny and Grampie were there.
My grandfather was illiterate. He was unable to read or write. However, he was an extremely intelligent man. You could never cheat while playing cards with him. Grampie's memory was infallible. Years ago, all of the grandchildren received a Christmas card from our Grampie. These cards were signed by my grandfather. Every year since, I have been putting this card up with all of the other Christmas cards. My grandfather passed away in December 1995. I haven't missed a Christmas. My grandmother passed away October 2012. I have a Christmas card signed by her as well. I do not know why, but it gives me comfort that my grandparents are a huge part of my Christmas traditions.
My Nanny was amazing. When you arrived there, she was always ready to have company. Her house was never messy, and she would always take something out of the freezer to feed you if she did not have any fresh fish on hand. You know what I loved about her the most: her laugh. Nanny had the best laugh. When Mairi was small, Nanny was visiting at the house in Sackville. Mairi must have been about two or two-and-a-half. Now my Nan would never swear, not in front of us, ever. I remember Nanny was sitting at the table and next to and across from her was Mairi. Nanny put her elbow on the table and her hand on her chin and with and exasperated sigh she looked at Mairi and said,"Oh, Sugar." Without missing a beat, Mairi being a mirror image to Nan, mimicked her physically, put her hand on her chin, and in the same tone said "Oh, Shit." Well I thought that Nanny was going to lose it. She cracked up laughing so hard. Perhaps it was that time that changed Mairi forever; Mairi does not swear either. Actually, just like Nan, Mairi is and always has been a lady. That was my Nan.
Yes she was a true lady. I miss Grampie and Nanny, but the memories that I have of them will carry on as long as I can tell the stories.
If we have love in our hearts, if we have love for one another; and if we love ourselves, our lives will never be empty.
As Always,
Happy Does It! :o)
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