Tuesday, March 06, 2018

Goodbye


So in very sad news, my little auntie has died. She was knocked over by a Tesco employee pushing his trolley carelessly on November 30, which broke her hip, and she basically never recovered and never got home to the lovely house she lived in, in Norfolk.

She was 93 and had a rather lovely life, so of course one can't mourn that much. But all the same, I'm very sad about it. It's partly because she was my father's sister and so now all that generation is dead - which is very much the end of an era (and leaves us uncomfortably in the front line - us next...). I will also miss her for herself. She was unmarried and moved down south when I was only 5, so though I was her only niece we didn't see that much of her during my childhood. But she used to come up for holidays in the north of Scotland, with friends, all through my teenage years, and they used to stay with my parents on the way. And after that, she hosted Mr Life and me and then the children for lots of holidays, first in Cambridge and then in lovely Norfolk. It was a good relationship: she was semi-detached (I couldn't disappoint her) but friendly and caring and jolly. For years, I've written to her at least once a month, and since her accident I've sent her a letter every two days. And now there's no one left to write actual letters to. There's a gap in my life. 

But still. 93 happy years is good. And I'm very glad that the whole extended family went down to see her last summer. 


The other day, Granddaughter decided to draw a picture as a present to her brother. She chose to depict his very favourite kind of traffic lights: the ones he's always called "traffic lights up high" - on very long poles, sometimes over the carriageway. He came to look - and we winced, waiting for him to point out the flaws in her drawing, but he very tactfully said something along the lines that this was the best traffic light drawing he'd ever seen. She accepted the compliment gracefully.


Then she drew a (somewhat space-age-looking) bus, bus stop and - allowing her own interests a look-in - giant bunny.


The snow is almost gone, to everyone's relief, but it's cold and wet. The crocuses and snowdrops have re-emerged, the latter somewhat squashed. I had coffee today with a friend, looking out over the water. Roll on, spring.

13 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry you now have only memories and photos of someone so special. An interesting person. It is strange when you become, as we now are, the older generation.
    Grand daughter's drawings are showing great artistic talent!
    Thinking of you all and sending Best Wishes.

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  2. When you think about her age, you have to be content with that, and yet the way that she died was unnecessary. (which is frustrating and sad) You have artistic and creative grandchildren...kind ones too!

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  3. I am so sorry about your aunt. Even though she was 93, it is still sad, especially considering the freak accident that started her decline. May she rest in peace.

    Your grandchildren are charming!

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  4. How sad. I'm so sorry that you have lost her, and for such a 'wrong' reason.

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  5. Anonymous7:31 pm

    I am so sorry about the way your aunt died, it was a sad end. Please accept my condolences.

    Your grandchildren are exceptional.

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  6. I wish to add my condolences. My dad passed at 93 too. He was mentally sharp until the end...just his body gave out. At the time, it hit me that he was too 'young' to die. He was a man with much wisdom and lived a very interesting life. Grew up in a small village in northern England,was the oldest of 6 children, went to a Catholic boarding school, and highly intelligent. He was a British soldier in WWII and was captured at Dunkirk. Was in German prison camps for 4 years. He and my mom immigrated to the US in 1950. He was interested in politics and technology right up to the end. I was sure he would live longer...it was wishful thinking. I firmly believe one day we will meet again in Heaven. May you have that hope too. Patty Mc

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  7. I am so sorry to read of the death of your Aunt. You've written about her before and I know how special she was to you. And very sad that she died from the results of such a freakish accident, something which should never have happened. I'm sure your family will not forget her.

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  8. I've enjoyed your stories about your aunt and can quite understand how much you will miss her. The buffering layer of an older generation is rapidly thinning - in my case completely gone now and it's a bit chilly without them.
    The grandchildren and their drawings are very heartening though.

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  9. I am so sorry to read this news. You will miss her. I still miss the elderly aunts that I used to write to regularly. As you say, it is a real loss when that generation and its links with our childhoods has gone.
    I hope that your aunt did not suffer too much. She sounded a bright and lovely lady. DWx

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  10. How sad. No matter that she had a good long life, you will miss her and to be laid low by an awful accident when she was otherwise fit and well is dreadful.
    Love L's giant bunny.

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  11. I'm so sorry for your loss. The end of a doughty era by the sounds of it. The fact that she was taken too soon by a freak accident is painful too. You just want to go and shake the idiot who so carelessly caused such pain and heartache. Think!!! But, a life well lived and plenty of love is always to be celebrated. Lxxx

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  12. Awwww, Pam, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dear Aunt. It is so sad -- she was so healthy -- it doesn't seem fair! I know you were very close to her and you were such a good niece.

    I love your N & L (and all the grandbaby) updates -- it's so sweet that they get along so well.

    I would happily apply for the position of receiver (and sender ;-) ) of a monthly letter if you're auditioning. I do worry though, since we're both bloggers (well, some (aka you) better than others (aka me)) that the news would appear online before it would arrive in a letter -- what with the week transit time over the ocean! ;-D

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  13. Sorry to hear about your auntie. Your close family will bring each other comfort, and babies always help with that.

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