Nanny

I didn't see my Nanny often but I really looked forward to the times when I did. This is a list of the things that I'll remember most about her. They might not be accurate or how other people will remember her but hopefully after reading it you'll see why I loved her so much.

1. She was one of twenty-three siblings.
2. She didn't know the day she was born so she picked one for celebrating.
3. She had twelve children one of which died.
4. She didn't want to be called "grandma." That's why she was my Nanny.
5. She loved the colour green.
6. She had a quiet determination.
7. After years of cooking for thirteen, she found it impossible to cook for one or two.
8. When I was little, my favourite room in her house was the bathroom. The rest of the house was really dark but this room was always filled with light. I also loved the dressing table and the black and white upholstered chair. It made me wish I was old enough to wear make-up.
9. When the cupboards were seemingly empty she could still make the most delicious meals.
10. She sewed my brother a baby blanket and covered it with beautiful hand embroidery. I was always jealous of him for that.
11. She loved to garden.
12. She had the patience of a saint.
13. She could sit quietly and watch the birds out her window for hours.
14. Her wild-meat stew was legendary but she would never eat it.
15. I can still hear her voice and her laugh.
16. She could clean windows better than anyone I've ever met.
17. With very little money she could always make a house feel like a home.
18. The year she decided to learn to knit she made all of the grandchildren hats and mittens. There were over thirty of us at the time.
19. I never once heard her complain.
20. She was very matter-of-fact. There was never any sugar-coating.
21. She taught me that there is always work to be done. You don't need to wait for instruction to be useful.
22. She loved strawberry freezer jam.
23. She once sewed me a floral dress with a bright red sash. I remember thinking it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. (I'm wearing it in the picture above.)
24. She wasn't all touchy-feely but the love was palpable.
25. She always looked younger than she was.
26. It was easy to be in her company without the need to talk.
27. I was named after her. Theresa is my middle name.
28. Without making a big deal of it or calling attention to it, she always made the best of terrible situations.
29. She had an iron will. After being diagnosed with lung cancer and being told she had about six months to live, she waited four years before finally agreeing it was time.
30. The most important thing in her life was her family.

After writing this list I realized that there was so much I didn't know about her. I'm not sad though. Just look at that list. It's enough.