When I think of my nan, one word comes to mind; resilience. More than just about anyone I know, my Nan had resilience in spades. She exhibited the quintessentially English ideal of “keep calm and carry on” better than any of us, and that is how I will remember her.
As people read these tributes and celebrate her life, I think it’s important to remember that she wouldn’t want us to be sad. I’m certain that her hope for us would be to remember the good times - and wow did we have a lot of them. Whether it was watching Ben Hur and talking about that time she met Charlton Heston (yes, you know the story) or walking through town trying to find food that was not “foreign,” we always had a laugh because of something my nan did or said. She had an incisive wit, a fierce independence, and a never give up attitude; if only I could have her courage.
The greatest memory of all was seeing her go on the maid of the mist at Niagara Falls. It was a lifelong dream fulfilled. And that is how I will remember my nan. The kind of person that is resolved to beat every challenge and live every dream. She was tough, yes, but also tender and full of love.
My hope for all of us is that we can be like my nan right now. Let’s be resilient and remember her with a smile - it’s what she would want. The best thing of all is that she has one blooming fantastic tour guide reunited with her in heaven, and for that we should all be thankful.
Love you, Nan ❤️
Bradley Anderton
07/05/2023
