Jeanie Christie Jones

Mrs Jones was not my biological grandma but as good as. I met her when I was 2 yrs old and I used to
run down the back street of my house to her's which was on the corner. Both Mr and Mrs Jones used to
tell me I would bang on the back gate shouting "Let me in, let me hide from my mummy".
Very soon they became my "grandparents". Mrs Jones was a wonderfully caring, sweet natured lady who
was so loving. She always had a smile on her face.

Mrs Jones had a young daughter Margaret who sadly passed away when she was 7 yrs old, she also had a
son Geoffrey who never married and lived with his parents until they passed away.

Mrs Jones always had a stash of chocolates and sweets hidden away for us in the cupboard and as
little children myself and my sister would always be allowed to choose what went in it.

We used to play cards together and watch tv quizzes - Mrs Jones used to enjoy watching Play Your
Cards Right and then right after the programme we would play it ourselves. Its funny how you
remember little things.

I can't believe its 21 years ago tonite since I last saw my "Grandma" alive. After Grandad passed
away, Grandma lost the will to live I think and became poorly very soon after.

Geoffrey was unable to care for Grandma at home due to her being ill and she went to stay in a
lovely care home, however one day he phoned to tell me that she had fallen and was now in Fairfield
hospital. She soon recovered but then went to stay at Bealeys Hospital in Radcliffe. Geoffrey was
quite concerned about her health and I went to visit her as often as I could.

On one visit I remember sitting and talking to her about anything and everything, she was talking
about the past as if it was happening now, tellin me how she had seen her dog (one which she'd lost
many many years ago) and other things. To me, it was a sign that she was near the end and she could
see her family and friends waiting to meet her at Gods door. It was re-assuring but also very sad
for me.

I had written a letter for Grandma but unfortunately never got round to giving it to her. It was
just an everyday letter about my life at the time, I still have that letter in a case upstairs and
find myself reading it often.

A few days before Grandma passed away, she was once again admitted to Fairfield hospital and was
very poorly. I went to see her on the evening of 5th November and I was so upset to see her hooked
to all kinds of machines. In the end they were running tests on Grandma for scepticemia and it was
horrible seeing her in so much pain.

My last moments with her are etched in my mind, Grandma was asleep but I know she knew I was there.
I sat by her bed stroking her hair and thanking her for all the wonderful memories I had. I told
her how much I loved her but now was the time for her to let go and join her wonderful husband of 63
years. I felt so guilty for saying that I wanted her to go but I knew in my heart she was
heartbroken, lost and lonely without Grandad and I wanted the pain to stop for her. I gave her one
last kiss and left her asleep, telling her I would come again the day after. Little did I know that
this would be my last time with her.

On the morning of 6th November, I was in work, now nannying for 2 small children. The phone rang
and it was my mum. Geoffrey had phoned her and told her that Grandma had passed away peacefully in
her sleep at about 8.30am that morning. I was heartbroken. Geoffrey told us he felt so guilty that
he wasnt there with her at the end like she had always been there for him.

I remember going to see Grandma in the Chapel of Rest on the morning of the funeral, she looked so
peaceful as I kissed her one final time and asked her to give Grandad a big kiss for me.

In 6 short weeks I had lost 2 of the most important people in my life, Geoffrey had lost both his
parents.

Christmas was hard that year - for as long as I could remember I had always been to see my Grandma &
Grandad, this year was so different.

I was upset that Grandma & Grandad didnt get to see me get married or have my children, my eldest
daughter is named after Grandma (Christie was Grandmas middle name). On the day of my wedding I
went to the cemetry to place a posy of flowers, exactly same as mine but smaller on their grave. I
knew they were with me in spirit and were by my side.

At my wedding, we sang the Hymm - All Things Bright and Beautiful" as it was a song we used to sing
to at Grandmas. I still have the album "Songs For Little Children" upstairs. We used to listen to
it all the time.

I miss you Grandma and always will, I will never stop loving you. Thank you for all the wonderful
times we spent together.

Night Night God Bless, love you forever and a day

Your grandaughter Carol xxx

I miss them both very very much