General Chat

I have just read all your wonderful stories about your grandparents I know you will all treasure these stories as I never met any of my grandparents as my mum's mum died when she was 2yrs old and her dad died when I was 6yrs old but he was in hospital with dementia so never ever seen him. My dad's dad died in 1940 and his mum died in 1952 so I never met them but a cousin sent me pictures of my dad's parents and I have one of his gran but I always wished I could have memorys like you all have but I don't so treasure them

My Mum's Mum died when she was only 47 so I never knew her, but from what my Mum told me I think she would have been the cuddly sort - I have some letters passed between them when she was ill and they always make me cry. My Grandma on my father's side was a typical northern matriac, she ruled her house of mostly men only one daughter but I loved her dearly she had her cuddly moments too. I was only about 10 when she died and this was all a long long time ago!!!!! Jacquie

My Nanny was my world. I always used to tell her I loved her best in the world, and it was true. She was the most important person in my life. She was such a big hearted lady but strong as well. She was widowed when my Mum and her sister were 11 and 6, and never wanted to remarry- no one could of replaced her Sid. Her hair had turned white at 21, after her beloved younger brother died from rheumatic fever. She was born in Bethnal green, but spoke the queen's english beautifully, I would be corrected for saying Thanks instead of thank you! I was so jealous of my Aunty who got to live with my Nanny all the time! Although my wonderful Nanny died when I was 5 my memories of her are numerous and crystal clear, because she was such a big part of my life. My Granny was a lady who I appreciated more as I got older. She was a liverpudlian, and was very glamourous and attractive well into her 60's. She wasn't particualy demonstrative but I think now we would have sooooo much in common. I recently found a victorian photo and on the back she had written 'Annie's 3x Gt Grandmother, Susan Morgan, born 1843' THANKS GRAN! Sadly she died when I was 14, so I never fully appreciated her, but we did have some good chats about past family members etc. Wish I'd written it down! She was also the only grown up I knew who admitted to me they believed in ghosts. I used to always ask her what she thought happened when we died, and she would say that if she could she would come back. Of course spent the week after she died with my head under the duvet begging her not to. lol! Anyway looking at my youngest daughter I wonder if her prophecy did come true after all, but that's another thread! I can't believe I've waffled on so much, but feel quite refreshed for it! [probably is so garbled no one will make head nor tail of it, lol]

Hi Buttercup, Your Grandma sounds good, have you grown into her shoes, l think you're probably the same kinda person lol I lost my Nana when l was 5 but l have some special memories of her, she was a woman who could find something good in every one, my mum did'nt talk too much about her because it made her cry. My Gran, what to say about her, well she did'nt like me from day one, and always used to call me 'busy body' (i'm still a nosy old cow) my mum said it was because she was jealous that she did'nt have a beautiful daughter like me lol bless my mum, Gran did'nt like her either but she loved my 4 brothers and sister and her darling son. Anne xx

I never had a Granny awwww, both were dead before I was born. But now I am a Granny and I love my wee Grandson to bit's. I am more 'openly' cuddly to him than I was to my own kid's, for some funny reason. Bring's a lot out of you being a Granny I think. :))) Cheers to all Grannies out there. Marion

Oh Dave She sounds like an absolute Gem. My Maternal gran was the same type of lady. I miss her still altho she died in 1958. Shirley

Dave, a wonderful, heartwarming story. She must have been some special lady. Thanks to everyone for sharing today, both good and bad. XXXBC

well I,m a grandma now &&& A great Gran & I HOPE I,m the best I can be. My two grown grandchildren I have a great rapore(spelling) with & my three grt grandkids aged 7 5 & 18months are learning ,I Hope ,that nanny & gramps are there for them. Shirley

I had two Grandma's both lovely but oh so different.My Gran Bennett my Dads Mum was really nice but a bit on the posh side but very kind but not the sort to give you a cuddle or a love when you needed it, she was beautiful and so well dressed.When I was about 15 she came away with us in a caravan for a week,and half the week she was complaining she had constipation the other half the week she had diarhoea but we did have a laugh about it when she was out of earshot and I loved her very much. My other Grandma Moran was the most important lady in my younger life.I dont know where to start on her.She was warm she was cuddly she was so loving and it broke my heart when she died in 1980 aged 85.She had had a tough upbringing with 7 brothers and one sister.She had 3 children of her own My Aunt Vera who died of TB in 1942 aged 21 and my Uncle Bernard who died the year after aged 20 after an accident where he fell on the snow and ruptured his kidney after complications set in he died. So all that was left for my Gran was my Mum who had 5 children and of course my Grandad Jim.My Grandad was old fashioned and used to give my Gran a slap across the face but feel guilty after and give her money, she told me sometimes she used to antagonise him to get the money! When my Grandad died in 1957 they were comfortable for the first time in her life and I asked if we could have the TV now Grandad had died I was 7 of course she gave it to our family we could have anything off her!.When I was about 10-12 my Mum and Dad had troubles and my Mum left us 3 or 4 times and who stepped in to help us in those trying times of course my Gran my Mums Mum . She took us away on holiday to Butlins about 3 times and every time we got there she was unwell for the first day with the travelling but once she came round she made us enjoy the week.When my Mum was away she painted the bedroom wall in the dark you should have seen it the next day but that was my Gran.When she was 80 she used to come and see us where we live about 15 miles from her on the bus, on the way home she would get off at Salford where she lived as a young girl and walk alone through the streets she played in when young and walk home about 7 miles. She was so funny and so warm and I loved her so very much.Even though she died in 1985 under suspicious circumstances the front door where she lived was open and she was on the floor and died of hyporthermia the coroner gave an open verdict, I thought she would live forever and a day and i can still imagine her laughter and kindness.My Mum fell out with her for about 6 weeks but she used to come every day to where we were playing to make sure she could give us all a love.I suppose you all have strong feelings about your Grandma's if you can remember them but to me my Gran Moran was the best Gran a boy could ever have.She was a great letter writer and used to write two letters to me every week even though I saw her often. I treasure those letters even now. 'She was my Darling' Davexx

My dads mam died on my 8th birthday in 1974 she was a very old lady 88.I can just remember her my dad used to take me to visit on a saturday morning the house would be full of people,she had 11 children and dozens of granchildren,I remember her in a long frock,with along silver plait down her back reaching almost to the floor.there was also loads of cats and dogs in the house. My mams mam died when I was 16,she had to endure watching her eldest daughter(my mam) 47 die from cancer 2 years before.She was a rock for me at a bad time.I miss her.She was widowed in the thirties with 5 children.she went on to remarrie and have another two,she was a strong independant woman. vicky

You'll be the 'coolest' gran there is BC My maternal Grandma was a gem. I'm told more and more as I get older that I am so much like her to look at. Scary thing is it's true. I found a photo of her at 21 and everyone thinks it's me in fancy dress OMG! Now my dad's mom, what a character. Supposed she had to be with ten of them to contend with. She ruled the roost, no messing. But was loved and adored by all her grandchildren and great granchildren alike. M xx

Thanks Jean. I got to thinking about this because I hope to be a grandmother for the first time this year, and I hope and pray I will be a good one, or at least a fun Grandma! XXBC

Hi Buttercup Absolutely. I think My Nan Batchelor was a Lady in every sense. The one who thought she was.I have very little respect for because of the way she was to my parents ,who were very hard working people who did their VERY best for their kids. Shirley

Well, Shirley, one out of two aint bad! XXBC

My maternal nan was a lovely cuddley Nan. Remember sitting with her in my Mums 'front room' when I was pregnant with our daughter in 1958. She used to laugh & tell me of her experiences with each of her pregnances,& tell me my symptoms were 'Normal'. She died,bless her three weeks before our daughter was born,& the day of her funeral I was admitted to hospital with eadeamia(spelling).& my hubby went to her funeral on my behalf. The paternal gran however was a different kettle of fish!!. Very autocratic,altho research on her shows she had more to hide , She used to pay three year state visits!! She descended on my Mum in 1965 after her daughters didnt want to know anymore,she had the start of altzeimers, & my MUM.bless her took her in.althos for years she didnt have a kind word for my Mum & dad. She died in 1965 & my Mum & Dad were diamonds,Looked after her & did the right thing for her. Shirley

She was BC Mags xx (getting tearful here)

'Fraid I can't remember any of my grandparents... they had all died before I was born... but do wish I had known them, so glad my grandchildren know me... we have a great time when they are here!! Anne :))

Oh Mags, that's left a lump in my throat. Sarah xxx

She sounds like a wonderful woman, Mags....XXBC

I loved my Gran. She loved me. She was a hard working woman with a gentle spirit. My mother had her down as something entirely different but then she was never happy unless she was bemoaning how hard done by she had been. My Gran was the only one who ever gave me any encouragement in life, the only one who told me I looked nice on my wedding day. To me she was a very special woman. She died the day before my son was born over 30 years ago. I still think about her often and still miss her. One in, one out? If she was reborn in my son, I would be more than happy if he has inherited a tenth of her character...and yes he is a gentle soul in many respects. Magsxx