I’m very sorry for those looking for the latest exclusive.
I apologise for disappointing you.
My Grandmother is dying.
I can’t express to you what this means to me, memories flood back in waves.
She was an upstanding robust woman, a little too public school for my family. She taught me as a young boy to always walk to the right of a lady, so that I might keep my sword hand free to defend her. I’ve since found no practical use for this but it did teach me to respect women.
During the second world war she was a nurse. Apart from the promiscuity of the Bowes-Lyons, one story stuck in my mind. After D-Day she worked in Holland. A young girl with terrible headlice was brought in to the makeshift hospital. The nurses cut off all of the young girls hair. The parents went absolutely ballistic, because you see that having your hair cut off at that time was a sign that you were a Nazi collaborator.
She taught me to build camps and make toffee.
She once found two young owls, and she bred mice to feed them, swinging the dead mice on a piece of string so that they might learn how to hunt for themselves. My Nan was no softie.
If I were to catalogue my regrets, there would be no end to this post.
I put my dislike of my brother between myself and my Nan. Now she is dying and I’m left with the consequences of that decision.
Take care, sir, take care.
Well she sounds like an amazing lady gojam. I hope you find strength to deal with it the way you should. All the best…
My condolences to you as you go through this difficult time
I had a similar situation with my Gran, but I went to see her before she died and I’m glad I did,I feel like it gave us both some peace. Despite being doped up to the eyeballs on morphine (for no other reason than to bump her off in my opinion), being totally out of it, I held her hand and out of nowhere she said my name, so I know she knew I was there. She died 2 days later.
We all have regrets, but the main thing is to remember the things she taught you and the ways in which she inspired you. I don’t believe someone will truly ever be gone, all the time you have those precious memories to remind you – like little signposts in life, they pop into your head to keep you true to who you are and to keep going when things get tough. My Gran will stay in my heart and my mind forever – as will yours.
Stay strong and cherish the precious memories.
That is the best advice ever and so true
We are all with you gojam. Dismiss the regrets and focus on the mice she bred to teach you your path.
We all follow in the footsteps of those we love and think we have lost, only to find out that they are simply clearing the pathway for us, just a few steps in front.
I think she taught you well.
Beautifully put Tim. Dear Gojam, people come into our lives to teach us and to learn from us. Be thankful that you had such a good teacher, and that you taught her too. Terrible hard to lose a grandparent, as they tend to give us more unconditional love than our parents. Brings up the past which can be painful. She will be out in the playground soon whilst the rest of us are still slogging in the classroom. Be content. All is as it should be. I breed mice too!!
Everyone on DI sends their love and support, take all the time you need. Sounds like she taught you to be a gentleman, a thank you to your grandmother, not many of them left.x
You are no softie either, lots of us including me have benefited from your guidance.
All the best Gojam.
Thinking of you! Your Grandmother sounds feisty and wise and will think the best of you – she will feel your love for her as all who have read your post have. Take good care of yourself.
It’s that last sentence that is so telling, it sounds like you have let your regrets interfere with your memories and that’s sad. Maybe she would want her passing to act as a catalyst to bring you and your brother together again. With the beliefs I have I know that all our loved ones are never far away from us, and if you have such an obviously close bond, then this will continue. My own grandmother is always with me although she passed away nearly 40 years ago. I often talk to her and her presence comforts me. A lady who is as strong and who has such presence as you describe, has done what she needs to do in this life and now just needs to move on in spirit. Her love for you will live on in you and what you are doing, she must be very proud.
With much love Gojam, keep strong
Gojam, I know your suffering, I have lost close family members, the anticipation of your inevitable loss is truly appalling.
I know how it is, it can only be experienced by those who really love and care about each other.
Sir, I believe I have been honoured that you share with us, what a feisty lady your Grandmother is ….
I wish you and Mrs Gogam strength ….
My thoughts are with you all.
Sorry for Mrs G’s name being spelt incorrectly in my post, I’m certain that I spelled it right – these blinking things can sometimes be a proper nuisance.
I can only apologise to to you and Mrs G, and hope for forgiveness.
may she go peacefully and safe in the knowledge she has a grandson to be proud of. my condolences to you and your family.
It is your Grandmothers time to go. We all have regrets but you will learn from them. Remember her as she was and know that you will see her again. Strength will come to you and your family from the unlikliest of sources. May she just close her eyes and fly off peacefully.
I bet your nan loved you as much as you loved her, though more if that is possible -
I’m sorry to hear your Grandmother is unwell Gojam, If there is a pits in life this is it.
It is good to know that this lady is a tough cookie – she may seem more frail now but her strength of mind remains I am sure, and this, together with the love you share will help to guide you both through this most difficult of times – to what will be a sad but inevitable and natural conclusion.
Do everything you can to make your Grandmother’s mind rested – she will appreciate it.
When the fog of your initial grief clears you will find that she is around you,guiding and watching over you always.You may not see her but after a life time of shared affection and interests she will not stay away from where you are for very long.
My thoughts are with you – stay strong! We are all right behind you xx
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Theres not a day goes by that I dont think about my grandparents who were both a very big inspiration to me over the years, Our grandparents are our roots, they are where we came from, and the reason we are here. Some people never even get to meet their grandparents, so please feel blessed that you were given this privilege to know and be loved by those who made an enormous impact on your life. God Bless you and your Nan xxxx
Seems that your Grandmother has much to be proud of in you
My best wishes to you
really sorry to hear this terrible news
i have such fond memories of my stepdad’s mum, she was a farmers wife and every time i spent time there she would get me digging the garden all day and then reward me with roast lamb and mash potatoes with mint sauce(wow i can almost smell it)and scones with cream and jam, she had such a positive influence on my life.
To Nan’s everywhere thank you so much
andy
much love to you Gojam, and your wonderful Nan… and to all amazing Nans everywhere.
If we’re lucky, their fate is to love us beyond measure and rarely to be appreciated until it’s too late …and our fate is to regret our missed opportunities to love in return.
…love as much as you can, whenever you can, people :-)