Dear Diary

Radio Silence

by Retro Chick
March 18, 2011
36 Comments
2 minutes read
100 Views
14 years ago

Sorry for yesterday’s Radio Silence.

On Wednesday we were in Newcastle when at about 1 o’clock I heard my Grampy had been taken into hospital and was seriously ill. We raced back to Kent and went straight to the hospital where I spent a couple of hours with him, leaving about 10:30. Just before midnight we got a phone call to say he’d passed away.

I was with my family yesterday, making sure my Mum and my Nana were ok and I’m still pretty exhausted emotionally and physically.

He was in his late 80s and I knew he wouldn’t go on forever but a couple of weeks ago I saw him and we were arguing about politics with my Mum and buying birthday cards. He could be a grumpy old git sometimes, but at least I know where I get that from. He also loved gardening and made me & my sister a “secret garden” to play in when we were little. He had a fish pond where we used to feed the fish and we used to go to National Trust properties and always had to look at the hydrangeas as I remember he had a pink one in the garden that he wanted to turn blue.

My Grampy served on the HMS Belfast as a gunner during WWII and helped to sink the Scharnhorst in 1943. For the record, 26th December, the date of the sinking, was also his 21st birthday.

In June I plan to be on the HMS Belfast for the first time for Swing for Skin. I shall probably cry. I asked him what gun he was on, but I can’t remember now which one he said. I thought I’d get chance to ask again before I went.

So sorry for my absence, and sorry that today’s blog doesn’t feature pretty frocks and fancy hair, or even me whinging about something, but I am sad and tired.

Hopefully somewhere near normal service will be resumed next week. This weekend I am going to see Avenue Q, which I’ve wanted to see for years, and on Sunday I’ll be at the Norwich Vintage Fair. Maybe I’ll see you there.

I’m so glad I got a chance to say goodbye and tell him I loved him. I don’t even know if he knew I was there, but I don’t think it really matters. I know I was there.

If you still have your grandparents then give them a call or pay them a visit today.

36 Comments

straighttalkingmama March 18, 2011

So sorry to hear this hon, Lots of love and hugs to you and your family, take care
Fashion Limbo March 18, 2011

So sorry for your loss, Gemma. I lost my grandfather a couple of years ago. I rushed to take a flight from Belgium to the UK, to see him one more time, and make him smile. I’m so glad I did.

This is what I wrote and read for him at his funeral. It’s a tad funny, so maybe it makes you smile?

http://notsosimpleplan.blogspot.com/2008/11/for-my-grandfather.html

He was an amazing man, like your grandpa, like many of his generation. They don’t make men like them anymore do they? At his funeral we played Johny Cash, and some other of his favourite music. He was the greatest grandfather, and I’m sure yours was for you the best in the world.

Keep smiling, as every time you do, he will be smiling back at you, so proud of who you’ve become and what you’ve achieved.
LandGirl1980 March 18, 2011

Oh Gemma 🙁
I am so so so sorry for your loss. How horribly sad. I know that people don’t go on forever, but it makes it no less difficult or heartbreaking when they do go, especially when it is sudden. I am pleased that you too argued politics with your Gramps!
I am sure we can find out which gun he was on before you go to the HMS Belfst in the summer. Should just take a full name, dates of service and a phone call or email to either the Beslfast or the IWM.
MUM March 18, 2011

Thanks sweetheart xxx
Fabulous Miss K March 18, 2011

Hi honey

Sorry for your loss – I never got to meet either of my Grandfathers they both died before I was born so take pleasure of the time you got to spend with him and remember the good times you shared.

Take care and love you and your family.

Hopefully see you at the vintage fair on Sunday. xxxx
Steph March 18, 2011

Sorry for your loss hun. I believe all your readers will be thinking of you and your family.

Lots of love and hugs x
Lauren March 18, 2011

How very sad, I’m so sorry for you and your family. Treasure the memories.
perdita March 18, 2011

🙁 My sympathies with you and your family. Losing a grandparent is so sad, not least because parents have lost parents and to see them grieve too can be heartbreaking. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family at this terribly sad time.
Bruce Partington-Plans March 18, 2011

Sorry to hear of your loss. It’s always hard to lose a grandparent (I lost both my grandfathers about 15 years ago; they were both cranky old devils too) but before long you remember all the good times, and the best things about them. For now, you have my sympathies.
Miss Peelpants March 18, 2011

I’m so sorry to hear this. I no longer have any grandparents still alive, none of them made it into my adulthood. How I long to have been enough of an adult when I knew them, to have been able to ask them endless questions about their lives.

I hope you manage to enjoy your weekend, although I know it will be hard.

xxx
Claire Read March 18, 2011

So sorry to hear that Gemma. Pop in the shop anytime for a chat, I have big shoulders (to cry on!). Big love Cx
Fi Phillips March 18, 2011

Sorry to hear about this, Gemma but glad you have so many good memories of him. Big hug.
Amy Georgina March 18, 2011

I’m so sorry to hear this, I had no idea when I replied earlier that your Grandfather had passed away. Consider the tickets well and truly set aside for you, you definitely have to be there. The ship will be open so you can have a good nosey round. Xx
Claire Evans March 18, 2011

Awwwww sorry for you loss. Grandpa’s like yours are the best & have brilliant stories. xxx
Claire Evans March 18, 2011

Oooh sorry about adding my last blog to the message – looks very insensitive of me but I’m pretty new to your blog & hadn’t realised that would happen. Sorry x 🙁
Claire
- Retro Chick March 18, 2011
  
  It’s automatic my lovely, don’t worry!
  
  Thanks for your comment x
Retro Chick March 18, 2011

I want to say thank you to you all for your lovely words and kind thoughts.

I’m very tired, and it came as more of a shock to me than I thought it would. I just wanted to explain my absence.

xx
jennine March 18, 2011

i’m so sorry to hear that… my thoughts are with you my dear. it’s always sad to lose a member of the family, no matter how prepared you think you might be. i remember the shock of losing my gran last september, even though she’d be ill for a long time. it was sad.
Steph (@mrs_sock) March 18, 2011

Just want to add my love to you and your family, I still miss my grandad every day. Your grandad knew you where there and he will always be with you, having been present for a fair few passings and around a lot of grieving families I truly believe that. I think this post is exactly what was needed, noone would expect you to talk about frocks today, or even the next few, unless the distraction helps. Remember the good times, and maybe get a blue hydrangea for your garden. My mum believes my grandad is now a robin that she sees in the garden at times she needs him, I see white feathers – I know this sounds a bit bonkers but there will be something that will let you know he’s with you. Take care of each other xxx
MissRayne March 18, 2011

Sorry to hear about your Grandad. But you have some great memories and they never go away.
Gemma March 18, 2011

I believe actions speak louder than words in such instances, so I’m sending a big warm hug and all of my love to you and your family sweetheart.
xxxx
Winsome March 18, 2011

So sorry to hear about your grandad, my sympathies to you and your family.
Best wishes from Winsome
Lottie March 18, 2011

Like you say, we know they can’t go on forever but it’s still the saddest thing to lose your grandparents, those people that play such a huge part in your life from the day you’re born. I’m glad you got to say goodbye, I think it makes a huge difference, I didn’t and I shall forever be sad of that.
Love and hugs
Lottie -x-
Lady Cherry March 18, 2011

🙁 I am sorry hun. My grandad has been gone for two years on 27th March, and I still miss him every day. But like you I got the chance to say goodbye, so at least you have that, and your lovely happy memories. I read somewhere that you should put the most effort into making happy memories, because one day, that will be all that is left. So sad, but so important to remember.

See you at swing for skin xx
bonita March 19, 2011

~ * ♥ * ~

I am sorry for your loss ~ I send all my best wishes for you and the family. I hope you are comforted by the happy memories you have of your Grandfather.
*hugs & love*

xox,
bonita of Depict This!
~ * ♥ * ~
Nadia March 19, 2011

I’m so sorry to hear about your grandad.. I started crying when I read this. just remember he will always be somewhere looking after you.
xx
MissK
Emma at Daily Clothes Fix March 19, 2011

So sorry to hear about your grandpa. I’m pleased to hear you were able to make it back in time to speak to him.

It’s nice that you will be able to go onto the HMS Belfast and be somewhere which was so important to him. He sounds like a great man (and you sound like you take after him too). My thoughts are with you and your family.
missy March 20, 2011

So sorry to hear your news, its very upsetting when it happens so fast.
On a brighter note I hope you enjoyed Avenue Q, the fella and I went on Tuesday after dinner at the Waffle House and the show was brilliant.

Hope you enjoy the Vintage fair as well, I can’t be there as I have no money and I’m at the coast this weekend. Take care and keep thinking of those happy times xx
Mim March 20, 2011

I’m really sorry to hear this. Hope you and your family are coping okay. I found going to Dig For Victory helped when my nannie passed, and I hope going to HMS Belfast helps you remember your granddad in a good way.
Laura Connell March 21, 2011

I’m so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing some memories of your grandfather. I was planning on called my gran today and now I will make certain I do!
Lucy March 22, 2011

I rang my Grandparents after reading this. Sorry for your loss and thanks for making us all realise the importance and influence this generation have on our lives today. I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Bloggers Award. http://lifethrulucylasticaslense.blogspot.com/2011/03/wow-versatile-blogger-award.html
Lauren March 22, 2011

Ah Gemma, I’m so sorry to hear of your sad news. It sounds like your gramps was a wonderful chap and this post is so sweet. Sending you lots of warm and fuzzies from South Africa x
Pixie March 22, 2011

Just read this – you sound so strong even though you’ve been through hell. Wishing you lots of love and hugs at this difficult time. xx
Fran March 23, 2011

Am so sorry to read your news, it’s so sad to lose anyone. Particularly Grandads I think. Yours sounds wonderful, I think that era generally are ‘good eggs’. The best at bike chains, dock leaves for stings and piggybacks. My Grandad and I were the best friends in the world, we were Pooh & Christopher Robin. Ten years on almost since he passed away and the memories of our happy days are still as clear as ever. I’m sure you have many to treasure too and I hope you will feel better in a while. I planted one of his roses by my front door and often stop for a chat on the way out, it’s the little things that bring the most comfort.xx
FashionGeorge March 24, 2011

My deepest sorry for you – I hope and wish for you all the best. It is always a big loss and I really hope for you to keep your Granddad in best and beloved memory. Although our grandparents were enemies once, today we remember those times never to be happening again. I truely wish you all the best from Germany.
George x
Little Miss Bossy March 25, 2011

Hello,

I was just catching up on your recent blog posts as I didn’t have time recently to browse my blogroll. The reason for that was that my nan passed away. So I can really feel for you, very sorry for your loss.

I live in the UK but am from Austria, at the beginning of March I went back home to see her and say my good byes and she died within 24 hours of my arrival, she just waited for me. Just like your Grampy did. Wonderful, beautiful thing the human mind is capable of. My nan died at home surrounded by her daughters and me. As much as something like this can be beautiful – it was absolutely.
The day your Grampy died was the day of my nans funeral. And also for the record – her husband, my grandad who died almost 13 years ago, and your Grampy nearly shared a birthday – my grandad was born on the 25th of December. He also suddenly took ill, I rushed like a mad woman from the UK to Austria and he also had just waited and died a few hours later.

I wish you and your family all the best and many hugs.