Her Love for Shoes

From the day I was born until I was twelve I spent every sunday at my Nana's house. All 6 of us would pile into my Dad's blue pick-up truck after sunday school and church and drive half an hour to see my Nana.

Sunday afternoons were filled with more treats than any grandchild should ever consume. Everytime I see those marshmallow icecream cones, black toffee candy, and no name chips I think of her. And I think this is where my love for cheese developped. She was always sitting at the kitchen table when we arrived waiting for us or visiting with my other aunts and uncles.

Her house was the meeting area for all of mom's siblings and their children. Sometimes the house would be packed. I spent many afternoons walking the floors with my baby counsin. I would often sneak into her room and try on her jewelry, she had boxes full. I loved going into her closet and looking at all her shoes. Sometimes when everyone else left I'd paint my nails with her nail polish. It was at her house I made my first phone call to my grade 7 boyfriend, lol.

I remember my Nana having great taste in clothes and shoes. She always looked so well put together. Her skin was always so soft and her hair was always done. She'd show us every sunday what new outfit she got that week probably with a purse and shoes to match! Much like myself she didn't have much patients for crafty things but she did knit and quilt. I still have the baby quilt she made me, it's a bit small but comfy and reminds me of her.

I loved going to her house and watching this talent search shoe there was always little girls on their who were dancing, or singing, or playing the piano and I wanted to be just like them. I also remember watching the Christmas Daddies and I was allowed to call in and vote on this stocking full of gifts that was like 10 feet tall.

She made the best brown bread in the world, to this day I have had nothing like it. And her fudge was to die for it was sooo good. This year at the stampede I bought a piece of old fashion fudge and it was like I was sitting in my Nana's kitchen I can see the pan she cooked it in and everything.

It seems lately I have been missing my Nana a lot, and a lot of things bring her to mind. While I was home for the wedding I was looking for something old to wear so I was going through some of her jewelry and it smelled just like her. So many feelings came running back! She put baby powder on everything and that is exactly what her necklaces smelled like. After all these years I was surprised the scent was still there, I guess with baby power you get your money's worth.

My Nana was the most active 72 year old I had ever met. She was involved in her church, had a great group of friends she was always joking around with. She travelled to Florida, Bahamas, and Yarmouth every week with her new boyfriend. She was always on the go and minus diabetes was perfectly healthy. If you were to meet her you would not have guessed her age. Then all of the sudden out of the blue she started to have stomach aches. After some time she was diagnosed with inoperable stomach cancer. My dad had to tell her the news.

I remember visiting her in the hospital still in good spirits. She was always joking around with the nurses and making friends with her roommates. After pretty severe deterioration, massive weightloss, and dementia she was brought home to spend her last days. It was close to Christmas and mom and her siblings took turns staying with her. She looked horrible, she was so frail, she could barely eat and at times didn't know who was who.

It was hard seeing the Nana I knew disappear...and in January she was gone forever. I miss her so much. She was just a great lady and I want to be like her. She never seemed to let things get to her and she had so many hobbies. I just loved going to her house and seeing her and all her things. My parents moved back into her house and I stay in her room sometimes when I am visiting, it's so different now. But it will always have that special place in my heart!

A few days after the wedding Farron and I had the chance to go visit my grandparents gravesite. I was able to place a bouquet from the wedding on her grave, eventhough she wasn't at the wedding atleast she got a small taste!

The day before I moved to Calgary my Aunt Joanne (another great lady who has treated me so much like a grandchild, she's amazing) came to visit me. And she gave me the greatest gift I could ever hope for. She gave me my Nana's first wedding band from my Dada, and it fit perfect. It is so special to me and so beautiful. It is a constant reminder of the beautiful lady who was my Nana.

I so so wish she would have had the opportunity to meet Farron, I know she would have fallen in love with him and teased him to death. I wish she could see me now, I know she'd be so proud. And I wish she could be here when I have a little baby. She was such an amazing lady and I just wish I would have had the opportunity to get to know her even more.

Every sunday before I'd leave I'd always give her a kiss and know that I'd be seeing her next week. I just wish next week could come one more time!

I love you Nana!!!