Monday, August 9, 2010

Happy Birthday Nan


97 today!

On my usual Sunday visit Yesterday I took her some flowers, but she was sleeping, so I dozed in the chair beside her bed. Lucky I didn't wake her because I may have passed on this cold that seems to have hit me from no-where!

When I was little i'd go and stay with Nan ALL the time, i'd sleep in the same bed as her cause her house was big and scary, she used to make funny noises with her mouth when she slept, she was doing that yesterday and it made me smile. She has no idea who I am, and probably wouldn't even notice if I never came to visit, but hopefully soon she'll be able to appreciate that she wasn't a 'mother forgotten' and left alone in the nursing home. It's a really intense place to be sometimes! It smells funny and old people make crazy noises when they are distressed! Nan is still very independant the only thing missing is her memory, and her sight and hearing aren't the best.

Things I remember about nan:

She was an amazing cook- Brandy Snaps, Four layered chocolate birthday cakes, peanut biscuits.

She loved a cup of tea (and still does)

Eating porridge and listening to abc news on the wireless

The smell of her art shed, where she created amazing water colours and bark pictures

Going for bike rides where she refused to let go of the seat and made me stop at EVERY drive way incase a car was coming.

Walking up to the cake shop or the newsagent

Her long nails which she always made sure were clean

Trying to teach me how to make a pav. or how to peel carrots properly etc.

Her beautiful garden, and picking raspberries off the bush that ran up her driveway.

The way she'd fuss over Jessica (Careful you'll break her little arms)


I only wish i'd listened more and learnt some of her skills before she forgot them.

I love my nan.

7 comments:

The Kings said...

Your Nan sounds very special.

Nettie's Blog said...

such a beautiful tribute to your Nan Collette...i am going through the same thing with Kelvins old aunt Floss who is 93 ... but she still knows who i am but forgets how long since i was there (and it is every 2 day usually as she has no one else)... and Kelv's "pars" are just like your Nan.. they dont even know us... but it is nice to visit even if they dont know you or that you have been ..sure makes you appreciate your own health ...(and the fact we are catching the next Alhziemers boat soon)really hope someone remembers to come and see me and bring me flowers and put on my lipstick for me so i can give them Nettie kisses and hugs....

Lisa Helen said...

Thats beautiful Collette, bought a tear to my eye :)

Stephen and Chernoa said...

What special memories you have:) Im glad you go visit her that is so special:) xoxoxo

Simone Triffitt said...

Oh those brandy snaps were to die for! I still remember where she kept them. Oh and the sponge with the lemon icing.

Jess said...

meringues! and Nan saying " Mind how you go" everywhere I went. Happy Birthday Nan

Melinda said...

I hope someone visits me when I'm old! Lucky Nan.