A zest for life

I started writing this in reply to your email, mum, but then decided it would be more appropriate on the blog...

You wrote:

Anyway the point of this (apart from to marvel at photos from 30 years ago) is that he has reproduced all Rick’s text from 1985, in a typewriter font that would have been used by Mar when she typed the original book for him; and the section that covers Mar’s working life up to retirement ends with the sentence:

“These days she says being a granny is one of the best jobs in life.”

She adored you all and loved spending time with you, and you brought her so much joy and interest and fun. Treasure the memories and the role model for your future grandparenting/gruncling & graunting!

Oh mum. 

What a wonderful thing to be able to share with us; thank you. 

I absolutely agreed with the text you sent as Chad and I headed up to Leeds yesterday for the Big Forbes Wolfson Party: Gran had a zest for life that needs honouring! 

Whilst I don't think she would have known quite what to make of the several rounds of beer pong, I feel we did Gran proud: being with family and friends, celebrating the next big adventure and all topped off with a very large amount of cake. 

It's been a strange year and this week has been particularly tough, but I for one know that Gran's zest for life, determination and sheer stubbornness is part of the reason why we've made it. Hugs (and chocolate eclairs) all round. 

Out in nature

Look carefully and you will see three Northern Cardinals (two male, one female), a hairy woodpecker and two black squirrels. You get bonus points if you can find any other birds or animals! All spotted on our wonderful Baba walk this morning...

One year on ...

John and I have just signed the final estate papers. And I have bought early daffodils to go in the blue vase, as I did for so many springtimes. Mar would have liked them... Jxx

A strange discovery

Firstly, as Caz said last night, a glass raised to Grandma Peggy. I feel that she would appreciate the tendrilic nature of our family, and would no doubt be regaling all visitors with tales of Canada, Italy and impending New England.

Secondly, as we're getting rid of most of our books, I've put my Kindle down and re-reading some of my favourites (as well as some of the "classics" that I've bought over the years and never read - Phantom of the Opera and Frankenstein for starters!). I picked a random Wilbur Smith book off the shelf. I found that Gran enjoyed them when I was at Cambridge, and it was one of several series of books that I found on her shelves and really got into. Anyway, I opened the book and found Gran's spidery writing:

Ben
To mark the occasion when our roles were reversed! 10.12.00

I have no memory of this inscription, nor what date or role reversal it entailed! I would have been 18, a few months short of going to Brazil, so maybe some sort of theatre trip with me as chaperone? Who knows. It was a lovely surprise, however, and made me chuckle. Any ideas?