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Living with Grandma and Grandpa


I haven't seen this photo for years. It was taken when we were living with Grandma and Grandpa at Erowal Bay, when Mum and Dad had separated and Mum was finishing off medical school.

Rach and I are dressed up like Mum, with a scarf as a bikini top. This would have been one of her visits during our time. It might have been when Assinine, my stuffed donkey, was new, which means it's January. Probably Mum's long vacation at uni.

This time with the Grandparents has come to the fore, as Grandad died last Sunday, 4th May 2008. He was 97, and in badly failing health, and more than ready to go and be with Grandma. That time with out Grandparents is one that we four always end up talking about when we're together, and that Grandad was still talking about in his last months. He felt it was one of the best times of his life, apparently.

It's certainly left its mark on all of us. I miss Grandad already, and just the other day something happened that I would have loved to share with Grandma.

Losing both of them feels like something's been cut adrift, somehow. An anchor has come loose, or something. Certainly, the connection to the NSW rellies is no longer as strong, as without Grandad to go and visit, there's now no incentive to go down there.

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