:: granny-a-long: Write About Your Nan

 

I wrote about my Nan over on JustB. But I thought that post belonged here, too.  Would you like to write about your Nan too? Join my granny-a-long! Add your post to the linky at the bottom of this page if you do! Or leave a link in the comments once your post is done!

My Nan: Lorna Kirby
Her work: Crafter, carer, all-round great lady
Lives: Hobart
The things I love most about her: Her work ethic, her cheeky sense of humour, her thoughtfulness, her hugs
Notable achievements: Single parenting through tough times. Being rad.
My takeaway: Keep going, stay creative, work hard
Something great she said: ”Your son is like a tornado” (About Ari, when he was around 3 years old)

My Nan is a wonderful woman. I’ve always looked up to her. Not only did she raise my Mum pretty much single-handedly after my grandfather was killed in the Korean War. She played a big part in raising my brother, my sister and I too.

During my childhood, my Nan lived with us a lot of the time. She slept in the room at the end of the hallway. When we got home from school, she’d always have some kind of baked treat ready to go. My favourites were lamingtons and the butter cake she used to make with white icing and jelly crystals sprinkled over it. The jelly crystals would go all melty and delicious. BEST. THING. EVER.

She was always around to take us places. To ‘town’. To the museum. To the library. And sometimes she’d let us tag along to her job as she cleaned houses for older ladies. We’d roam around the flower filled gardens while she polished the silver and dusted the knick knacks. It all smelt like Silvo and old roses. So great.

When she had her own flat, we’d go and stay camping overnight in the living room on folding beds. There were also folding TV trays. She’s snap them up and deposit plates of sausages and carrots and peas and potatoes on them. We’d pass the sauce as we watched The Love Boat or Hart to Hart. It was awesome.

My Nan’s influenced me hugely in my crafty pursuits too. If she wasn’t cooking or tidying, she’d be sitting and making things. Blankets for new babies. Donations for the Red Cross. Cute crocheted frocks for my sister. Socks for my brother. Lacy cardigans and dresses for me. She’s a deft hand with anything woolly, and I was always super impressed that she could crochet and knit without looking at her work. More often than not she’s be looking at Charlie’s Angels or That Girl or whatever show we’d flicked the telly onto.

She has lovely pinned up hair, but sometimes before tucking us into bed, she’d put her nightie and dressing gown on and let her hair down. It fell in waves like Katherine Hepburn’s and I always thought she looked half her age when her locks were loose.

Nan’s always prioritised the care of those around her. She’s always worked hard and been tenacious. And she’s always kept herself busy and made beautiful things.  Those are all inspiring qualities, I think. She’s still super healthy and living independently at 92. If I can be half as ace as her, I’ll be kicking big goals, I think.

Tell me about your Nan?

x Pip

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