Peppermint & Cinnamon. That was how she always smelt liked. She reminded me of the witch in ‘Hansel & Gretel’. Uncle Jack, her son, nicknamed her ‘Dragon’. She was a fierce lady who never went with a cigarette. She was witty and sharp-tongued. I was scared of her when I was young. I thought she didn’t like me cause I wasn’t as pretty as them. But as I grew older and I realized it was just her way of showing her love. Although she did make loving her back hard, I still loved her. She loved each one of her 6 grandchildren differently. She loved her youngest son to bits. My father. Her baby. Whenever she stayed over, she made the most fabulous beef stew, chilli pork chop & ‘devil curry’. ‘Dragon’ who loved ginger beer & chocolate milk.
She celebrated her 90th birthday last Thursday. She passed away 3 days later. She had been ill the past year and her heart had grown tired. I will always remember how she took her last breath as my father gathered her in his arms.
I miss her. I miss her voice, her calls, her nagging, her scolding my father in Portuguese, forcing me to learn the language so that I can marry a good Eurasian boy ( I didn’t have the heart to tell her that there is no such thing anymore) I may not have been so close to her, but I loved her all the same. I will miss the smell of peppermint & cinnamon.
“I’m scared, I want to go home…Mummy…where my mummy?â€
â€Jacky…where you Jack…wait for me…I’m coming..wait for meâ€
Its ok, Nan, you’re home, your mummy is with you. You’re safe. You will always be safe now. Say ‘hi’ to Uncle Jack for me, give him a kiss too and pass that letter to Jesus for me. I love you.
“Saw a shooting star like a diamond in the sky
Must be someone’s soul passing by”
CFB, PP – Thank you. For accompanying me, for keeping her in your prayers. For being there. For always being there.
JB - Once again, you amaze me with your writing..thank you for this. It was beautiful.
Posted by:sharkbait
This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 1st, 2005 at 5:31 am and is filed under Miscellaneous.
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you were wonderful. everything a nan could ask for. i hope you find the peace you crave for. i’ll help you loook for it ok. love you *hugs*
Such a beautiful tribute to someone who seems to have been a wonderful woman. My condolences. As a tribute to her I shall look to the sky tonight for that passing star …
She is looking down at you and smiling… smiling at the beautiful person you have become… When you don’t give yourself the credit you deserve, she will give you two folds of it… now & always
She will always look at you & protect you… She is not scared anymore… She is not in pain anymore… She has gone to a beautiful garden (& she will share that with you in her heart)
I want to walk beside you coz you have always walked beside me - with love PP
beautiful words. cherish the memories and be content that you were loved and that you loved. you two will meet again. of that i am sure. *hugs*
kell…. *bigtighthug*
Aww, Sharkbait, that was beautiful.