Goodbye IV

Grannie.

That’s ‘Grannie’ spelt with ‘ie’ and not with a ‘y’.
That’s Rosemary and not Elizabeth.

Grandmother, mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend.

Is a tartan skirt, a broach, pearl earrings, lipstick and blusher…
Welcoming us home from school with gingerbread men and nursery tea.
The well spoken English lady.

Then; is Wild White Windswept hair
A navy raincoat
Wellies
And a dog in tow.

OR; is trousers, gloves, on her knees pruning the roses
In the beautiful garden of the pink house.

Is scrambled egg, roast lamb, apricot fluff and gooseberry fool.
A glass of sherry with cheese and biscuits.
The grandfather clock and the framed photos that fill the dining room.

Countless trips to the crab-pool and the ‘proper sea’.

Is the Woman on the Move…
Wobbling through West Wittering on her ancient bicycle,
Breaking speed limits on her car,
Exploring every part of the harbour in the ‘pram’
And flying off to visit friends and family in far flung places around the world.

THEN;
Is sat, watching her grandchildren sing, act, dance and play from their living rooms to a cathedral and everywhere in between.
Cheering us on.

Sat, at the kitchen table listening to our stories - always interested - and welcoming in the neighbours as they walk by.

A FRIEND to so many – never a day without a visit, a party, a letter or a phone call.

Granpa’s pride and joy and best friend.

A ‘Flood’ of laughter and a deep ‘Pond’ of kindness.

Inspirational and strong; loving and greatly loved.

Living life to the full.

A life of which I am so proud to have been a part.


In memory of my Grannie, by Katrina Pike.
(Read at her thanksgiving service, 24th October 2008)