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His Last Shave - In Memory Of My Grumpa
I would like to publish this in memory of my 97 year old Grumpa, Terence Colin Granville-Jones, who deserved to be loved to the end, and was.
His Last Shave - An account of a granddaughter’s love
When I think back now to the memories of the end, this is the last true memory of my Grumpa as the gentle, independent and fastidious man that he was:
It was before his full deterioration, his mind starting to return to him and a feeling of peace for us both. I sat and watched in awe of him as he insisted on taking up his razor to shave. He was weak but determined, so with a seat in front of a filled basin, he used one hand to support his other and raised the razor to his face. He was slow but methodical, contorting his face to achieve the right tension in his skin and working with such nimble practised ease, despite his preferred blunt Bic razor, that I couldn’t help but admire him. Repressing the automatic modern response to film an achievement of a loved one, I sat fully present. Something deep inside me knew that after 80+ years this may very well be the last time he ever performs his own shave and I felt honoured to witness it. I sat patiently with love in my heart as I took in what is now one of my most treasured intimate memories of my Grumpa.
As I lie awake at 3am, 7 months after the death of my beloved Grumpa, I notice as my mouth goes taut, my lower lip curls downwards and my body finally succumbs to the delayed shakes of grief.
This week would have been my Grumpa’s 98th birthday and I’m so grateful he is not still here to witness it.
I say witness it as it would have been no celebration at this point.
One year ago, my Grumpa who was still independently living, turned 97 with grace and gratitude for his health and family, having moved to be close to me 17 months before. I had asked him to move close to me so that I could be a more regular support for him and enjoy as much of a relationship with him as I could. From cutting his hair to massaging his feet and clipping his nails, I took great pride in doing the things that meant so much to him....
[Listen to hear the rest of the account.]
Written and narrated by Jane Tarrant, Founder of LiNK BREATHING
www.linkbreathing.co.uk
@linkbreathing (on all social channels)
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By Jane TarrantI would like to publish this in memory of my 97 year old Grumpa, Terence Colin Granville-Jones, who deserved to be loved to the end, and was.
His Last Shave - An account of a granddaughter’s love
When I think back now to the memories of the end, this is the last true memory of my Grumpa as the gentle, independent and fastidious man that he was:
It was before his full deterioration, his mind starting to return to him and a feeling of peace for us both. I sat and watched in awe of him as he insisted on taking up his razor to shave. He was weak but determined, so with a seat in front of a filled basin, he used one hand to support his other and raised the razor to his face. He was slow but methodical, contorting his face to achieve the right tension in his skin and working with such nimble practised ease, despite his preferred blunt Bic razor, that I couldn’t help but admire him. Repressing the automatic modern response to film an achievement of a loved one, I sat fully present. Something deep inside me knew that after 80+ years this may very well be the last time he ever performs his own shave and I felt honoured to witness it. I sat patiently with love in my heart as I took in what is now one of my most treasured intimate memories of my Grumpa.
As I lie awake at 3am, 7 months after the death of my beloved Grumpa, I notice as my mouth goes taut, my lower lip curls downwards and my body finally succumbs to the delayed shakes of grief.
This week would have been my Grumpa’s 98th birthday and I’m so grateful he is not still here to witness it.
I say witness it as it would have been no celebration at this point.
One year ago, my Grumpa who was still independently living, turned 97 with grace and gratitude for his health and family, having moved to be close to me 17 months before. I had asked him to move close to me so that I could be a more regular support for him and enjoy as much of a relationship with him as I could. From cutting his hair to massaging his feet and clipping his nails, I took great pride in doing the things that meant so much to him....
[Listen to hear the rest of the account.]
Written and narrated by Jane Tarrant, Founder of LiNK BREATHING
www.linkbreathing.co.uk
@linkbreathing (on all social channels)