Seven years ago today, my grandmother passed away. After her stroke, she fought for several months, but sadly, surrounded by loving family, she moved on. Where to, I guess we never really know until it’s time, but my upbringing and faith make me confident that I will see her again. I’ve thought a lot about her this weekend, not only because it’s been 7 years today, but it’s been a family-centric weekend at home. I don’t see my family nearly enough, as it’s not feasible to fly back and forth that often throughout the year. And although I always feel a family pull back to Toronto, I’m not quite ready to move back. We met with my great aunt this weekend too, and it felt so good to just be present; to acknowledge the fragility of life and that we cannot take these amazing moments spent with family for granted.
My grandmother has had an incredible influence on me, and when I think about the kind of person I am today, I see a lot of her qualities in myself. I remember when we would walk by a bakery or food shop and she would always stop to take a look. Then she would buy something because she ‘just wanted a taste’, and why not if it meant we could enjoy it. She wouldn’t worry too much about money or things because, as she put it, you can’t take them with you when you die. Even well into her 80’s, she had that seize-the-day attitude and would fly to visit her children and grandchildren in Canada when she could. Of course, once she was here, she did not slow down! She would jet-set to London, or Toronto, or Montreal, or New York to visit someone and someone else and someone else. She had an incredible network of connections; people from her past and present for whom she would make time. She was amazingly independent and ridiculously maternal and caring. The stories I’ve heard throughout my life with her always amazed me- how she moved from Trinidad to New York so my mum could get the best care for her hearing, and then moved to London, England to help my aunt… choices that were made for her children because her children and grandchildren were everything to her. And that’s where her happiness was found- with all of her loved ones, both family and friends, and her faith. It’s difficult not to get teary-eyed when I think about her, but my memories are all so positive that it’s never felt like she went very far. Her presence is strong, and rather than be sad today, I can only smile at all of my wonderful memories.
When I was younger and she was visiting, I would wake up, come down the stairs all groggy, and she would look at me, smile and say, “Only a grandmother could love that face”. I would always laugh back. I will never forget those moments.
I love you Granny.
HIKES & HAMSTRINGS 
This is a very sweet post Rick. I never had the pleasure of meeting your grandmother but since she was a great influence on you, then I think she must have been a kind, loving, caring, adventurous, and all around lovely person because that is who you are. That’s all I will say in a blog post comment… 🙂
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