“Do not regret growing old, it is a privilege denied to many.”
On Tuesday the 18th of August, I was the first to the family to get the call of my Gran’s passing. Being the emergency contact in Durban, I knew the call would come one day. No one thought it would be so soon.
She was my only grand parent. I only realize how special she was to me, now that she’s not here. Of course there’s a Covid story here too. I last saw her the day before lock down. It was a quick grocery drop, a kiss and a hug and I told her I’ll see her soon. I didn’t know that would’t be true.
When I think of my Gran, cricket and crosswords come to mind. She avidly followed the cricket fixtures. The only reason why I know the name Shaun Pollock is because she loved him so much! She would buy the People magazine for the crossword puzzles. You could bet that there was a thesaurus and dictionary within reach when she was engrossed in those word riddles. Other memories with Gran were in the school holidays, when my sister and I would walk with her to the local petrol station for a raid of the sweet shelf. Sherbets and ice-cream were always the winner. Sometimes, to my mom’s horror, we were given bubble gum and told to spit it out before mommy came home. That was her naughty streak. She was a subtle rebel but totally innocent in the same breath.
Mother to three, Grand Mother to five. She was a widow too soon and became a spectator of life.
I wish more than anything that you stuck around a little longer.
But as my dad said, “76 ain’t bad innings”.
Rest In Peace, Mercia Ann Pypers
16 March 1944 – 18 August 2020
If ever there is a person that could paint a picture with words it is You Angie. Never stop being a Mermaid and a Eagle.
Thank you for the memories.