Goodbye Grandma

This morning I woke up to the news that my beloved Grandma McBride had passed away. As tears welled up in my eyes, I began to think about this amazing lady who I had the privilege to call my Grandma.

Jean McBride was a woman of great beauty, kindness and grace.

Grandma McBride was my last living grandparent. She was married to the absolute love of her life until he died in 1981. With much determination, she then went on to live another 30 years, and chose to live a full and happy life for the remainder of her days. Just as she kept her husband's legacy alive in the beautiful life that she lived, it is my endeavour to do the same thing for for her.

A legacy of open arms and warm smiles. A legacy of unconditional love and hospitality. A legacy of joy and inspiration. A legacy of courage and of hope.

I remember so fondly time spent with my darling Grandma. One of my most vivd memories of my Grandma was during a family holiday at our beach house on the South Coast. My sister and I saw an eligible {not so young but very handsome} bachelor sitting on the beach near us. In true style of the McBride girls, we thought it was about time that Grandma got herself a boyfriend. It must have been about 15 years since my Grandpa died so we thought it would be perfect! I remember her blushing when we suggested the date and then I will never forget what she said next. She said that there was no need to meet anyone else as she had already found the love of her life and that was more than enough for her. How special that she found such true love. A love that lasted a lifetime.

I love how she used to take such delight in her grandchildren. Many a weekend we would find ourselves over with the cousins at Russell St. Many a happy time happened in this house. We would play for hours in the garden and swim so happily in the pool. We even invented a game {well actually I think one of my lovely cousins did} which was so perfectly named 'roll the ball down the hall'. Ah, many hours of amusement that were had playing this game in Grandma's hallway. I loved that until even recently {despite the fact that all us grandchildren were well and truly grown up} she would sit and watch us all play, with a contented smile on her face.

I remember so many fun, beautiful and sweet things about my Grandma.

I remember that she always sent a card for our birthday.
I remember her sweet smile.
I remember that she was always the first to say a prayer at Christmas.
I remember the Olay face cream she always used.
I remember anzac biscuits & her yummy caramel tarts.
I remember her zest for life.
I remember her love of tennis.
I remember her sweet little old fashioned swimming caps.
I remember her love of Johnson & Johnson's baby powder
I remember her kindness.
I remember her Christmas puddings.
I remember her loving and feeding the kookaburras.
I remember feeling so special when she'd get out her baby brag books of all of us.
I remember that she was the coolest Grandma and that she was so affectionately named GG Mac {Great Grandma McBride} by the little ones.

She was a woman who loved without regret or restraint.

I love you, Grandma. You will be missed x

Psalm 91:1-2 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”