Friday, March 30, 2018
My memories of Nanny start in 1970, when Larry drove me to Kimberley to meet his mother. I learned all about how good coffee should taste - my tongue was raw on the trip home to Calgary. I also had an inkling of why he spoke of her so reverently. Through the ensuing years, I learned that she was all about family - never forgot a birthday or an anniversary, as often as possible invited us for supper on our birthdays, remembered our favorite foods, wrote letters 'til her hands couldn't, and phoned regularly, just to check up.
As a young mother, it was so reassuring to have her turn my babies onto her knees and rock the tears from their eyes. She was so wise - told me not to overdress my kids. "They'll come in when they get cold". Many of my kids' favorite recipes came from Nan. No one ever made soups that tasted better than hers and she put the craziest things in them - cinnamon, poultry seasoning, coffee…
And she was classy. On a very tight budget, she bought clothes and accessories that made her look outstanding wherever she went.
But, she could be stubborn. One fall, in the late '70s, Larry ended up with an extra car, so he gave it to her. She informed us she didn't need a car, and left it parked in the garage for at least 6 months. Then she decided to get her license and started driving. She was still driving around Kimberley this past winter.
She loved Kimberley and once, when we had taken a mini-holiday to visit family in Vernon, she took quite ill. There was no way she was going to go to anywhere but the Cranbrook hospital. So, we had a white-knuckle trip home where she let me drive her straight to the ER.
Yes, I am extremely sad that she has passed on. But I am thankful that Larry is once again reunited with the mother he adored. Until we meet again, Nan. I love you.
Judy
