Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever.  

Author Unknown

A moment this week to pay homage to those special 'extra' parents who mark our lives so deeply. Grandparents.

A Grandparent seems to be able to bridge that wide gap between the modern and the ancient. In our Grandparents we can see and hear History through their stories, and yet there they are right before us, as contemporaries.

I never knew either of my Grandfathers, but let me introduce you to the two amazing women who were a presence in my life as I grew up. The lovely lady above was my Grandmother, Olive c. 1916. And this little beauty was my other Grandmother, Lily. Above, as a young filly. Below, just as I remember her. Warm and safe.

My personal memories of my Grands....

1. Rolled up sleeves

2. Cleaning, always cleaning. Scrubbing drains - who does that?!

3. Whiskers on her chinny chin chin

4. Shrinking. Every year I got bigger and they got smaller

5. Summer holidays, two deck chairs and a wind-break. The omnipresent sandwich-making duo

6. Chrysanthemums in the garden

7. Tinned ham sandwiches and Sterilised milk custard

8. Playing cards with me and my brother

9. Stopping for a cup of tea. A lot.

10. A life of modesty and hardship concealed. 11 siblings each, war, loss, poverty and heart-break. All put aside whilst they dedicated themselves to their families and our future.

When Lil died, we discovered two things - a wedding photograph that we had never known to exist, and an engagement ring which she had kept in a box for over 60 years, unworn.  I wondered why for a long time, but now I think I understand. Precious, not to be damaged, and frivolous for a woman whose hands were dedicated to scouring for hours each day.

I hope this has evoked a few good memories of your own Grandparents and their part in your Family Stories. Share them, do, below.

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty.  She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the hell she is!  ~Ellen DeGeneres

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More about the Life's a Journey weekly memories series.

Other posts in this series:-

Week 1 - My earliest baby photo

Week 2 - Old School Portrait

Week 3 - Earliest Writings

Week 4 - Bestest Friends

Week 5 - Teenage Crushes

Week 6 - First Movie Memories

Week 7 - The Song You Snogged Your Hand To

Olive (second from left) and her 7 sisters. There were a few boys too!!!!