The Pipe Dream Diaries (2) The Ninety-Ninth Birthday.

 

 

My post on the 23^rd Feb. 2015, with image included, is of Gran on her 99^th birthday…

Seriously, who even lives that long (and looks that great, right)? And she was truly great; I mean it. Words cannot begin to describe the impact this wonderful woman had on my life.

And of course it is “had” in the past tense (otherwise she would have been 109 this past February).

My Gran’s life and demeanour were characterized by her default settings towards compassion, kindness, and acceptance. She was non-judgemental, peaceful, and her serenity was clear to all, and an ever present. It never deviated, nor did it faulter. She granted me emotional asylum to allay all my fears, in a quaint home, replete with spirally patterned carpets and delicately flowered wallpaper. Here, I experienced an uninterrupted flow of joy; bubbles of hope were a constant. I quickly learned that as our car hit the end of our driveway – a right turn meant boredom – but a left turn was a Ninety percent chance of heading to hers! I’d always ask if I could stay over, and she always said, ‘Yes’! It was a done deal, and I was always so excited. It was better than most other forms of anticipation, because it felt richer and realer.

Staying with my her, was like a haven. I can’t quite describe it, but it was – in the fullest sense.

On occasions, someone might ask you what your childhood was like, and there will be an endless range of replies. Mine: quite good. To elaborate, the combination of my imaginary life, and Gran, are key to this self-verdict. If we forget the dark clouds, and recall happy events/faces to make that retrospective judgement, then my happiness is filled with the face of the woman you see in the thumbnail. I think I only ever saw her flustered once. I caused this. I didn’t like it one bit, and I never did again (because there was no way) I’d ever want to do anything that disrupted the equilibrium of a beautiful soul.

 

Gran reached 100. She passed away peacefully a year-and-a-half after this photo was taken.

 

I have dedicated The Children at the River’s End to her, because I felt so much inspiration writing this novel, and – who better to dedicate a novel to – than an inspirational human who impacted me greatly. One plus one, really does equal two, here.

I hope you too had a lovely Gran. I’m so glad I got to experience one the absolute best in my life.