Nannie

Today was the day we lay our Grandmother to rest. The Duncansburgh MacIntosh church held a rather lovely service, part of which contained these moving words from Alison, my cousin:

A Tribute to Nannie.

Who was Joan Steel? Joan was a Daughter, a Sister, an Aunt, a Wife, a Mother, a Mother- in-Law, a Friend and a Neighbour: To me, my two cousins and laterally my husband and daughters, Joan was Nannie.

Being a Grandmother, unfortunately, means you were always old to me and, therefore, I always knew this day would come. For this reason alone I do not believe I have taken you for granted. I was, however, reminded recently that not everyone has the privilege of having a relationship with a grandparent. This I had taken for granted. I now feel all the more blessed to have had you in my life at all; let alone to have you share my milestones this far.

I am saddend I never knew you as a mischievous child, a spirited teenager, or beautiful and hard working young woman. However, had I known you then, you would not have been the person I knew. You were the person with the strong and knowing hand that guided me through the high street on a wet afternoon. It was with the same hand you gently rubbed my brow to help me sleep, the same busy hands that lovingly baked birthday cakes and knitted winter jumpers selected by me from the woman’s weekly, the same hands that rested as we sat in quiet contentment sharing the joy that was ‘80’s Saturday afternoon television, the hands that helped you express your opinion on current affairs, the hands that raised a glass and wished us all “Good Health” at Christmas, the same hand I took to guide you to the car for us to treat ourselves to afternoon tea, the same aged hand my daughter lovingly stroked only the other week. Her hand and yours connecting, spanning the generations. Today it is time to let go of your hand.

Being Nannie to me, Keith and Mark has enriched us and shaped us. Knowing you has given us warm, colourful and textured childhood memories. These memories will not fade with time. These memories are strong and are literally made of Steel.
Thank – you Nannie. xx