30 days of me: 7

a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

My Granddad (Mum’s Dad). We lost him many years ago to a heart attack, aged only 57 – I was only 7 years old. So how could he have had the biggest impact on me? It’s hard to explain, but in the short time I had him – he was the best grandparent one could wish for.

Me, Granddad & Nana (now aged 77)

One day when I was about 10 months old while visiting Auckland (where he and my Nana lived – we were in Kerikeri) Mum had dressed me in my prettiest, white, frilly dress, my Granddad decided it was time I had my first milkshake – chocolate of course. Needless to say the dress was ruined within seconds.

Mum always said he was completely in love with us all.

He loved to throw us up in the air, one time he got distracted and forgot to catch me. He tormented me, all in good fun of course, bringing chips around the room and offering them to everyone – once he reached me he exclaimed “oh no Bronnie, these aren’t for you”. I of course burst into tears. I was two, and being the first (and so far, only) child I had been completely doted on and was not used to his humour.

Allie, newborn Maddie, Granddad (he died 9 months later, he never saw Maddie walk) & Me

He was a carpenter by trade and built everything for us – a swing, a slide (which on first trial collapsed as I was half way down). But my best gift ever was a doll house. I still have this doll house, it measures 2m wide and 1m tall. It’s ginormous. It has a chimney, a bathroom, bedrooms, lounge with fireplace, a kitchen, shutters and big front doors. It’s beautiful. I plan to renovate it and it give to my daughter(s) (fingers crossed I get at least one!), from their great Granddad.

I have to admit, this was a tough one to write, I teared up.