spend more time with my nana

I went to visit my Nana last night for a couple of hours. I haven’t visited her in about 2 months and she only lives up the road from me. I must visit at least 1-2 times a week as it is so lovely to talk about stuff.

My 90-year old Nana leaves tomorrow on a road trip from London to Point du Chene, New Brunswick. That’s about 1100 miles, at least 18 hours of driving, each way. She’s catching a ride with my uncle, so that he can drop her off for a visit with her younger sister, who happens also to be her best friend.
Nana e-mailed me to tell me about her trip, and to wish me luck on my exams.

She. Is. Amazing.

I’m heading over to Nana’s shortly, but first I have to think of something yummy to pick up for dinner. She’s a Maritimer, so I’m thinking fish of any kind is always welcome.

Tonight is special because it’s just me & Nan visiting – I love it this way. Our visits aren’t as long, but when it’s just the two of us, I get 500% more out of them. I’m particularly excited about getting her all to myself tonight because I had a whole bunch of questions I wanted to ask her after her 90th birthday/family reunion party, and this is my first chance to do so. Sadly, I can’t remember most of what I was thinking back then (only two and a half weeks ago but that feels like ancient history!), except that I really wanted to ask her if it bothers her that I don’t share her religious beliefs and practices. I’m a bit worried that she’ll just say “no” and leave it there, but I really want to know – has it EVER bothered her that my Dad was/is such a ‘rebel’ and walked his own path, or that he “raised” (and I use the term very loosely) us outside of the church? I’ve NEVER had the sense that she disapproves of me, as a person, but does she disapprove of my life?

Anyway, should make for an interesting chat. She never ceases to amaze…

‘Nana night’ last week was at my Aunt Dianne’s place, so I offered to pick up Nana and bring her over with me. Really, with the kids screeching and squealing all the time and with the grown ups all fighting for their turns to talk, there is not much truly satisfying conversation around the table during these visits (that isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy them, I just wouldn’t want a steady diet of such cacophonous meal times).

Anyway, the drive to and from Dianne’s with Nana is about the only time the poor woman gets a word in, so I love that I get to play chauffeur. And last week was especially precious, because I decided to admit to Nana that I have a really hard time with two of my cousins, that I don’t enjoy their company AT ALL, and that when they are around (which isn’t often, but if it’s ever, it’s too much for me), I tend to just stay away. I told her this because, with her 90th birthday celebration coming up, I don’t want to offend HER by attending only two of the FIVE parties the family and church have planned (no kidding – this little ole lady has a rockin’ social life!).

Not only did she understand my …difficulty … with these two cousins, she actually openly agreed with me!! She’s a very devout Christian, so she rarely has a harsh word to say about anyone, but in this case, perhaps because I was careful to NOT be harsh – I simply stated that our personalities clashed – she felt free to be honest with me in kind. She wasn’t nasty, she just expressed that she too has a hard time with these two women.

I don’t know how many opportunities Nana has to admit her truth these days, but I know that when her husband was alive, she was kept on a very tight tether, and as a result of having to suppress so much of herself for almost a whole lifetime, she can sometimes even come across as vacuous. But I know her better than that. I know she feels deeply and has a keen mind of her own. I hope that she continues to explore and express her thoughts and feelings the way she did on the drive home last week, because I am honoured that she feels she can be herself with me.

I’ve got her all to myself this evening… the cousins, aunt and uncle are all busy with other things so yay! Nan and I will have a girls-night-out, which will include dinner and probably some grocery shopping. Perhaps not much to get excited about, but I do look forward to our along-together time. When she feels noticed, she can be quite a dynamic energy and often shares surprising stories from her life.

She’ll turn 90 in 101 days.

Well guess what came in the mail last week?? Yep – a letter from the Blue Jays, wishing Nana a happy 90th birthday. It’s not actually what I was asking for, but they included a nice autographed photo of Gregg Zaun so that’s something. And it’s a nice letter too, recognizing her for the huge fan that she is etc. Maybe I’ll get her some other little Blue Jays trinket to go with, as her birthday draws nearer. Any suggestions for a 90-year-old widow who has everything??

I DID write to Community Relations at the Toronto Blue Jays organiation, to ask them to have my Nana’s “boyz” send her a 90th birthday card, but I haven’t heard back.

I’m going over to her place for dinner tonight – I hope I don’t spill the beans (secret keeping’s never really been my thing :+)

but I had an idea for her 90th birthday gift – eeeep! It’s such a good one! I just hope it can be done. My Nana is a huge Jays fan so I’m going to send the team a birthday card and ask if they’ll all sign it for her!! Cross your fingers and say a little prayer for this cuz I know she’d LOVE it!

Nana called last night to let me know that our usual “Nana night” plans were cancelled, so I asked if she wanted to get out for dinner, just the two of us, and she said YES!!! This aft, after I close up the bookshop, I’ll go get her. Sounds like she needs some groceries too, so I guess we’ll go to the A&P after dinner to do a little shopping. While that isn’t my favorite thing to do (with or without her), I am really glad to get some time alone with her, and glad that I can be of some service to her too. Yay!

Nan & the rest of the fam are coming to my place for a barbecue this evening. I’m glad she’ll have a chance to see my home – I’m embarrassed that she hasn’t been over since I bought the house (I think – if I’m wrong, it’s for sure only been once that she’s visited). Hoping for decent weather so we can dine outside – the house heats up too much with that many people inside. I’d like to think of some way to make their visit this evening extra special – we never get outside together, so I’d like it centre around dinner on the deck and backyard time – any suggestions??