Feb
20
great nana
95/365
Dear Eva, today was a momentous day in your little life — today you met your Great Nana Drews. And her baby who incidentally, she told you is named Jemima. But like Jemima Puddleduck, not Jemima your aunty. And then there was a Salvation Army brass band who played ‘Band of Salvation’ and of course she couldn’t go back to school when they were done, because she had walked all the way in the puddles and her mary-janes were now wet. But that’s ok because she can whistle. Although she never really could whistle, no matter how hard she tried.
Darling, our dear Nana has dementia. But is she ever the card she always was! She is very proud of you. She sang you ‘Leetle Mister Baggy Britches, I love you…’ and ‘You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray!’. Did her eyes ever light up when she saw you come through the doors! She even held you, although there is no photo of that because I and Grandpa were helping her and Grandma was off chasing your brother at that point.
Great Nana is exceedingly proud of her family. Her legacy. Her prodigy if you will. Eva, she may not remember you the next time she sees you (for she certainly doesn’t remember me…your aunty Vicki however…), but she knows you’re apart of the family and that you belong to her. That seems to be what’s important!
Darling Eva,
I know that Great Nana will have delighted in holding you and showing you off to everyone, it would’ve been her proudest moment. Had she not had dementia, she would’ve declared to everyone and anyone how privileged they were to be in the company of 4 generations. Eventhough she may not remember your name, she knows in her heart you are family. Oh and had Grandpa Drews been alive, he would’ve been so happy and in love with you and your brother. He would’ve been lying on the floor next to you playing with you both.
Your cousin,
Beck
Rach, when we visit, she doesn’t know my name either although having said that, I don’t prompt her for it. She knows I’m a granddaughter though. She also knows my girls are her granddaughters but she doesn’t say their names. She would’ve loved your visit. Oh, and the brass band has just played every time we visit too.
Thanks for this Beck! It really means a lot to me. I’ll be saving this letter for Eva to read too.