Granma and me
In memory of the beautiful Lynda Williams x
This the story about my Granma and me
She’s sixty five and I’m only three
She’s friendly and caring and brings people joy
And me… well I’m cheeky and playful, a typical boy
But I think I’ll begin when I was just news
“Mum and Dad, I’m pregnant” said my Mummy “and I’m really confused”
Don’t worry dear– we’ll always be there
To help with your workload and all baby care
So one cold night in mid November
This is the story as my Daddy can remember
“Mummy rang the hospital screaming “help I’m in pain”
“Don’t panic” replied the lady “jump in the bath again”
So while Mummy lowered herself into a bath full of bubbles
Daddy slept soundly unaware of her troubles
But the bedroom door slowly opened and Granma stood there
With a worried looking face and rollers in her hair
The scary part was the rollers resembled horns
The last thing you want to see when a child’s being born
“You need to wake up, I think this is it”
“Ok Lynda, I’ll quickly get ready, I’ll be there in a bit”
So Mummy and Daddy had to race through the night
Laughing to each other about Granma giving them a fright
An hour later and who should turn up
But Granma with buttered toast, some tea and two cups
The night was a long one and lasted forever
“Now take deep breaths” said Daddy I think to seem clever
Suddenly I saw the world as my head slowly appeared
“My goodness” said Daddy “my boy’s nearly here”
So Granma smiled, Mummy screamed and Daddy cried
This was the moment I had finally arrived
It’s hard to imagine now, but I must have been small
I’ve seen a photo of me in on our kitchen wall
Daddy’s holding me in just one arm
With Granma stood behind him looking all serene and calm
Then it was Granma’s turn to hold me, she held me close and tight
“My beautiful Grandson, I will love this child with all my might”
It was when Grandma decided to give up work
“Me and Granddad are now so happy
You don’t need to worry we’ll change every nappy
So Grandma called each day and night
As slowly but surely I grew up in height
Then over the years the house filled with toys
I’d have the occasional tantrum as boys will be boys
On my second Christmas I’d only just turned one
Grandma posed for pictures with me and said “where has that year gone?”
Out of the blue I could suddenly walk
Granma said “and he never shuts up, he can certainly talk”
All the clothes she’d bought for me I was now to big to wear
With every inch taller she’d say “he’s grown even more” and ruffle my hair
The next Christmas would come and go
Grandma wrapped me up all warm so we could play out in the snow
And I knew the Summer sunshine wouldn’t last
Another year was passing fast
Granma laughed with me at the park
Then said “we need to get you home before it gets dark”
She smiled at me in the car as I slept
kissed my knee better when I fell and dried my tears as I wept
This Christmas I knew that things were not right
Granma spent some time in bed and looked a little white
Everyone said that she was fine and that she’d soon get better
“She won’t be ill for to long Ryan, we simply wouldn’t let her”
The doctors did all they could and said “this is something out the blue”
I was sure that she’d come home again, I didn’t have a clue
I wondered where my Grandma had gone– Mummy said she’s now in heaven
I looked a little puzzled as I asked “well who is Kevin?”
“Of course” said Mummy “I know you don’t mean to be sad
And your sense of loss can make you mad
When you think about it, it seems such a shame
That all you have left is now is her picture in a silver frame
But you need to remember that you had so much fun
And be eternally grateful to have been her Grandson
Remember her on the parks zip wire or at Park Gate
Or at Happy Hippos as her little mate
Everyone is going to miss your Gran
Unfortunately this will never change for you even when you’re a man
She will always be in your mind
As generous, warm, loving and kind
(2013)
