Bonzer Words!: Reflections Of Grandma
Violet Apted could see the cottage as she drove along the winding road to the cliff top. "The windows sparkling in the sunlight, gazing out across the sea, as if still keeping a vigilant lookout for my Grandpa, just as Grandma did for her sea captain husband, many years ago. My heart skipped a beat, as I stopped at the little white gate...''
Violet writes for Bonzer! magazine. Do please visit www.bonzer.org.au
I had put off this day as long as I could, but now it was time for me to face the reality of selling Grandma Kate's cottage.
I could see it, as I drove along the winding road to the cliff top. The windows sparkling in the sunlight, gazing out across the sea, as if still keeping a vigilant lookout for my Grandpa, just as Grandma did for her sea captain husband, many years ago. My heart skipped a beat, as I stopped at the little white gate. Surely Grandma would come to greet me with a great big hug? Memories flooded over me and tears filled my eyes, knowing in my heart I was closing a precious chapter of our family history today.
I closed the door behind me and I was a child again! The delicious smells of grandma's baking wafted in from the kitchen, as she opened her arms and hugged me tight to her tiny body. The scent of lavender and sounds of laughter filled the room. Impatient, as always, I couldn't wait for the greetings to be over, so I could get to my favourite room, Granddad Charlie's cabin! Right at the top of the house, complete with ship's wheel and telescope, where he kept watch on all the ships as they sailed by, recounting many of his adventures to me, as he did so.
Grandma Kate never changed a thing in that room after her husband passed away and we spent many hours together in there as I grew up. I listened and learned so much from her.
I made my way up to 'The cabin' stepping twice on the creaking stair as I did so. We always laughed about that and Grandma Kate once told me she often 'heard' Granddad making his way to his cabin even after he died. We never laughed at her saying that, because his presence was always felt. Even today I can 'feel' him with me as I entered the cabin. I was not to be disappointed. It was exactly as it had always been! Overcome with emotion I sank down into the big comfy armchair and cried. I was a child again sitting on Granddad's lap and he was comforting me. That was the moment I knew! I could not sell the cottage! All the memories would be lost forever. Yes, I would be selling up, but it would be our house in the city I would sell. The cottage would become 'home' again!
It was as if a whole load had lifted from my mind. I made my way down the stairs and caught a reflection of Grandma in the hall mirror, and gasped! I was looking at ME!
© Violet Apted
