Happy Birthday Nanny!

Happy 87th Birthday Nanny

Today is a day that an amazing woman was born, one that we miss every day. My grandmother or Nanny, Mary Durnford would have been 87 today, and if she were still here with us, we would be celebrating like crazy, because my nanny knew how to celebrate and have a good time.

She had the most beautiful smile, seeing it would just make you smile too. When you would walk into their home, you would just sense how much you were loved, the look of love that they'd give you, the hugs and kisses, were the best. She was the kind of grandmother who would be at all the special events, I remember both my grandparents being at preschool graduations and Christmas mornings. It was always so special having them there to celebrate with us, and it's a Christmas tradition that I miss for sure.

Laura wrote some memories on her blog, that we all had shared in a texting marathon tonight, I wanted to share some of them too, and she did a great job recording them so I thought I'd copy some of what she wrote...

"She would have turned 87 years old today and had illness not taken her from us, I bet she would still be getting her hair done and wearing the soft cashmere sweaters she always wore. I remember her laugh and the necklace she always wore. I remember being fascinated by her rings and always wanting the one with a stone for each of her children. I still remember the day we found a picture of my own Mother in a pink bikini and we've held that immodest photo over her head ever since. She loves us for the way we pick on her, most of the time :) I remember the way Nanny sat relaxed in her chair, so sweet and so tender. I remember so many details of her house. I can take myself on a guided tour just in my memory, still seeing things exactly how they were. I would love to walk through that house and see it now. I remember the smell of the blue bathroom. Nanny always had the freshest soap and the softest hand towels. It was in her bathroom that the legendary "conserve water, bathe with a friend" sign began and still lives on in our houses. That sign makes me laugh. I remember the little vent in the attic that we all peaked out of, and felt rebellious for lifting up and taking apart. I remember how low the ceiling was in her attic and how she always had the beds made. I remember the little light she had by the bed. It was a pink fan and the closet full of boxes that we always used to hide in. I remember her Christmas lights and they were the best. I loved her light up Christmas characters. I remember her coming to our house every Christmas morning. I even remember the last time her and Grandad came together. I would enjoy both of those before hoarding the cupboards for viva puffs and the cookies with jam in the middle and buttercream frosting between the cookies. Kathy since told me they are called Peak Freens or something of the sort (I'm sure she'll correct me again when she reads this). I remember that she always donated to everything I fundraised for, for school and supported me every way. I can't remember Nanny ever raising her voice at me or saying a mean word. I remember her spoon collection on the wall and the day she got her dog, Skipper (I remember the day my parents gave him away when I was at school too). I remember loving riding the exercise bike that clogged up the front hallway, the one I don't remember ever seeing anyone actually use. I don't ever remember her actually singing a jig but Karen and Kathy do and I believe it. (She even could play the accordion!) I laughed when Kathy commented on how all her babies came out loving that song when they were born. She must have sang it to them before they came to this Earth. I believe it. I remember never ever sitting at the dining room table and hardly going in that room, as it was the cleanest room in the house. I remember her sending me downstairs to find stuff in the basement. No one liked going down there but it was good for hide and go seek. I remember family meals at her house and playing cards at her kitchen table. I remember sneaking candies from her candy bowl in my pockets and her hugs. I always hugged her goodbye, even if I was only there for 5 minutes. I remember always eating blueberry cheesecake at her house and watching tv on her little one in the kitchen. Looking at the 5 million pictures my sisters keep sending me, Nanny had great style. She always took care of herself and everyone around her. I can't say I have ever known a better woman than my grandmother, other then my own Mother who holds so many of her traits and characteristics, along with her own. My Grandmother, Mary Jane Durnford was a perfect example of love and everything a Grandmother should be."

I have a few more memories that I wanted to record too, but Laura did do a fantastic job of recording all the memories from tonight. I remember all the times going to the trailer that my grandparents had, they would go up there in the summer and we'd spend lots of time visiting them. There was a little zip line at the playground that was so much fun, and there was a pool, where they would spend hours watching us swim. We'd always get ice cream treats, have campfires and just spend time with our grandparents. It was wonderful. I always loved being able to just walk up the street to visit Nanny whenever I wanted too, we were always welcome, and there were always treats to have. I always loved getting apple juice and rice crispy squares with sprinkles whenever we would visit. I remember once when we were renovating our bathroom, I walked all the way up to Nanny's just to get a nice shower in the above mentioned blue bathroom... it really was ALL BLUE! Oh how I loved my grandparents home. I love and hate seeing it all at the same time. Seeing the house makes me remember all the amazing times that we had there and all the love felt, but it also makes me sad, because I miss my grandparents so much, we were so close with them, and I only wish we had more time with them. I hate that other people live in their home, because it will always be their home.

My grandmother was an amazing woman, she was thoughtful, caring, sweet, loving and funny. She made you feel important, even though you were one of her many grandchildren. She has passed on all her amazing qualities to each and everyone of her children, and especially my mom. She is a super grandmother and I am lucky that my daughter will get to have her as a grandmother and that she'll know my grandmother through her own.

As we were texting tonight, mom wrote that she bet Nanny was up in heaven rocking Baby Olivia, until it was her time to come here, and thinking about that even now, brings tears to my eyes. I know that my baby will know her great grandmother and I know she is a lucky little girl to have her great grandparents on both sides of her family watching out for her as she prepares to come to this earth, and join our family.

I am thankful that Baby O will carry on part of both her great-grandmother's, in her name. We have decided to give her the middle name of Mary. The first Mary of course is my grandmother who I was so close to and loved so much, and the second Mary is after Brandon's grandmother who has also passed away. It worked out beautifully that we had two Mary's in our lives and that they were both wonderful women. I didn't know Brandon's grandmother's name until we went to Ontario. We were sitting in church and someone got up and mentioned Peter's (my father-in-law) mother Mary, it was like a light went on and we knew if we had a daughter that her middle name would be Mary, and I am thankful that we are getting to use this special name to us!

Happy Birthday Nanny, I hope you know how much we all love you and miss you every day!

A quick baby update... we are now 33 weeks, that's right 7 weeks to go, which equals 49 days. It's crazy to think that baby girl will be joining our family so soon. After the two baby shower's we had this weekend, we are feeling more ready. We are getting her room together, and I'm hoping that my vision comes together for it. More to come on the baby shower's, I have some amazing people in my life, that's for sure! We cannot wait for baby Olivia to come into our lives, she's going to change our lives a lot, but it will be for the better!