My tiny little hand reached up and touched your silky soft hand for comfort and guidance. I was a small child and you were a giant. The sand dunes were as tall as mountains and my little feet were burning, so I stood on your feet …. You laughed I squealed in delight and together we tackled the path to the beach. I had nothing to fear…because YOU were there. It was a joy to reach our destination….the waves crashed, the breeze filled your thick red hair with sand and our toes were now cool dipped in the water. As you hitched your skirt up into your knickers, baring your tanned and sand covered legs, neither of us had a worry in the world. We swung our hips as our toes searched for cockles. Time passed my tshirt became weighted with captured cockles and I listened intently as you told me adventures about your life and loved ones since lost. Oh - What a life! I never grew tired of hearing your stories…. We talked when I was a tiny child on the beach. We talked as Grandad drove us from Adelaide to Goolwa. We talked as I drove us from your beloved Scotland to the Isle of Skye. We talked as we passed the old munitions factory near Stirling where you once worked during the 2nd world war. A few years back we sat and ate lunch in a beach café at Port Elliot. I was so engrossed in your stories that when a staff member chased us to the car park waving a piece of paper in her hand I realised we left forgetting to pay for lunch. We laughed so much about it later on I nearly wet myself. We were always having great laughs. Later in life the sand dunes had become too large for your aging legs. We walked the path together again…but this time was going to be our last time! The breeze gently blew through your thinning hair and I could see you were frail in body. Yet, your eyes still sparkled and your strong spirit still led the way for us. Your hands, still soft and silky. I was like a giant walking beside you yet you still held a tiny little hand in yours. This time it was your Great Gransons….. my beautiful and adored child. I smiled quietly as he listened to you tell him stories about your life. I felt your love wrap around me like a blanket of joy. What a lady….what a life …. What a wonderful grandmother. Posted on May 11, 2010