If I’ve spoken to you recently you’re probably aware that I’ve taken up residence in one of my grandparents’ spare bedrooms in Glenbrook as of about six weeks ago. They’re in their early 90’s, and still living in their own home, which I think is thoroughly impressive! Sadly, Grandad is suffering badly from dementia and is really not the man he used to be. For the first month, he looked slightly surprised and confused (although not displeased) every time I came out of my bedroom. He seems to have got used to having me around now, but I’m pretty sure he still doesn’t know who I am. This would be very sad, if not for the fact that he is a believer, so I'm just looking forward to the day when he is restored to his former self in his resurrection body!
Nan, on the other hand, is still sharp as a tack! Not only is she still very interested in what’s going on in the world and the lives of her grandchildren (she’s generally recognised to be the hub of family gossip), I’ve been reminded in recent weeks of how very cool she is, for a lady of 91. For example:-
- She still calls me “mate”.
- She still gets quite excited over a good game of rugby, and warns people that she can’t be held responsible for her language when she’s watching football (she’s been known to say “damn” and “bloody”!!).
- She can still hit me hard enough to hurt (this happened most recently when she got quite excited over a good game of rugby).
- I can talk to her about sex.
- She still eats burritos, and enjoys a glass of wine or two with dinner.
- She doesn’t take herself too seriously – when I busted her walking around the house with no trousers on because she didn’t realise I’d come home, she laughed and said, “Don’t worry, I haven’t lost my marbles, I’m not Grandad!”
- She takes an interest in technology – she was very curious about how it is that I talk to my friend Steve using my computer (i.e. Skype), and was thoroughly impressed when I showed her how my webcam works (as you can see in the picture above, taken on said webcam).
- She can still cook a mean lamb roast, and wonderful corned beef.
- She still, on occasion, wears denim.
- Last year, a month shy of her 90th birthday, she danced with me at my uncle’s wedding - to “The Love Shack”!
Yep, my Nan rocks. I hope I grow up to be like her!
Nan, on the other hand, is still sharp as a tack! Not only is she still very interested in what’s going on in the world and the lives of her grandchildren (she’s generally recognised to be the hub of family gossip), I’ve been reminded in recent weeks of how very cool she is, for a lady of 91. For example:-
