For many years, whenever I have visited my Nanna (Dad’s mother) in Newcastle there has been a toy dog standing up between the sofa and the chair. Whenever I asked about it, Nanna would just say “oh that’s Max,” with no further explanation.
My Nanna died last week, just a few days before her 85th birthday. Where we went to many weddings in the summer of 2009, this year appears to be funerals. When I found out I shed a few tears into a tea cosy she knitted me that we use every day.
I drove back home on Saturday, went to a wedding, and then we drove up to Newcastle on Sunday ready for the funeral the next day. We were up by nine on the Monday and the sun was shining.
My entire family was there. Apparently this is 58 plus three bumps. And as with endings there are always new beginnings. DoctorSister is pregnant. It was a beautiful day.
We got in the car at 7pm after lots of cups of (caffeineated!) tea and (glutenated!) sausage rolls. We were all exhausted. MadFather mysteriously didn’t drive the way I was expecting. We stopped off at what was Nanna’s house.
He came back to the car carrying Max over his shoulders. Max is easily over a foot tall. “This is for you,” he said. “She would have wanted you to have it.”
Max next to our TV unit, for scale.
(And no, I am not going to walk it with my lead)
So sorry to hear about your Nanna. Max is beautiful! He has such a friendly face!
So many sympathies for your Nanna. But yay for DoctorSister!
Sorry about Nanna. This post showed sweetness and vulnerability. After all the years I have followed your blog you still never disappoint me. Hugs to you!
He and Friday will keep each other company. xxx
Sorry to hear about your Nanna I know the sadness it can bring. Max is a lovely reminder of a happy memories. I am somewhat disappointed we won’t be seeing a photo of him at the park though!
Juliette – Max is beautiful! He’s also quite large and gave me a bit of a fright when I stumbed into the living room this morning!
Nathan – thanks, we’re all really pleased about DoctorSister.
Holly – thank you so much for your lovely words about my blog.
Anna – I am a bit worried the actual dog will be frightened of Friday and Max
Jen – Thanks Jen. How are you faring with the clocks? Lucky for me it coincided with a few early mornings so I managed to sleep by 1 last night (which proves i CAN sleep by midnight and it’s psychological!!). And we might take him to the park. never say never! ;o)
[...] “Who’s that?” she says slowly, looking at Max. [...]