What is it that gives a grandparent's house that distinctive 'old' smell? It's not a bad smell, just an old one.
I clearly remember the smell of my grandmother's house from when I'd visit her while studying at UCT. It was a smell of aged leather; dated furniture upholstered in dated fabric; antique silverware; priceless paintings; and wisdom.
I suppose there's my answer. It's an old smell because it's full of old things. Even old people.
I remember I'd take the day, most times it was a Sunday, and drive out to St James from Wynberg or Woodstock or Sea Point (depending on the year of my studies) and spend it with her. Spend it chatting about things. Some arbitrary and others, the more interesting, about family. How she'd raised three sons. No daughters. "What a handful", she'd mutter. I can only try to imagine.
One of my last visits was a few days before I left for The States. I was going to work and travel for 6 months. I was 23. And right before I left she wrote a quote down on a piece of paper for me. Something to take with, or at least memorise before I left. I did both.
"Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough gleams that untravelled world whose margin fades forever and forever when I move." Alfred Lord Tennyson
My grandmother passed away 2 days ago. She suffered a stroke. And a few days before that I was contemplating what to call this blog, when I remembered the quote.
Perfect.
I guess, in a sense, I dedicated this blog to her without even realising it.
Even more perfect.
Today is the day before I leave. The day before I fly to London from where I will catch a connecting flight three days later to Havana, Cuba. Today is the day before I am set to begin an adventure that is bound to be full of meaning. Today I am 28.
Here's to you, gran.
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Beautiful, enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThe Falcon
Wow, that is a really beautiful piece of writing. Very emotional.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. From what you've always said, she sounds quite spectacular and unlike most grandmothers out there. The end of a life, for the young or the old, is such a big thing for us to wrap our heads around. But I do believe then, that this trip couldn't have come at a better time. You're going to grow and expand and expand and grow that heart and mind of yours. Your writing is going to reach new heights too, I'm sure.
Keep safe on your travels. I look forward to keeping up with your journey via this place.
Lots of love,
Em
xxx
Great opening verse for your epic blog of adventures. Just to say I've confirmed my connecting flight from San Jose, Costa Rica to Managua, Nicaragua. I'll be there on 20 April & then will make my way directly to the Corn Islands in the Caribbean, off Nicaragua's coast. A week there & then back to the mainland. So best to try hook up around 30 April in Granada, Nicaragua for the journey across Lake Nicaragua to the tropical paradise of Costa Rica's coastline of Pacific splendour. A detailed email will follow this brief comment, but until then, have an awesome time in Cuba! It's going to be unlike anything you've ever experienced; the last bastion of socialism in a capitalist quagmire. Soak it all up & have loads of fun. See you in 6 weeks dude...
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