A message to my Gran: We’re all biased when it comes to the world’s best Grandmother, aren’t we? I’m no different. Maybe it is the warm memories of our childhood that they elicit. That feeling when you walk into their house, that you are in the safest and most loving place that could possibly exist. For me, it was endless cheese and pickle sandwiches, stories at bedtime, chocolate cakes, and my Gran’s never-ending good cheer. Let me say this for the record. I have never once heard my Gran mutter an angry word against anyone. In my forty-four years of life, she has only ever been one way. Relentlessly kind and loving to those around her, as though it is her sole purpose for existing on this planet.
Feb 8, 2023·edited Feb 8, 2023Liked by Robin Mitchell
Robins gran is 1 of the best. I remember the time like it was yesterday she allowed me to join her, Robin and his girls for dinner at her house. This is not where the gesture ends, she encouraged me to buy fish and chips for them all, which were gleefully devoured and thoroughly enjoyed, after all… who doesn’t like free food? As Sheila went to get dessert, I remember the excitement as if I’d just won the lottery… 1, 2, 3, 4 delicious looking puddings for herself, Rob, the 2 girls…. Herein the story ends. I feel eternally grateful I was allowed to watch everyone eat dessert that day while I had none. Worst £50 I’ve ever spent.
I met Robin’s gran once at Penfield Town Hall moments before Robin and I and the rest of our team-mates were about to embark on another sporting endeavour. I can’t remember the opposition but we were representing Penfield Rangers FC in the Rochester & District Soccer League (RDSL).
The RDSL was founded in 1908 and Robin’s gran was born I would guess about 25 years later.
The only thing I remember about that game was that Robin scored and as he sprinted off to celebrate, it was clear that the only thing on his mind was looking at his gran as he did so. His knees were raised so high and he ran so fast that it was all I could do to keep up with the ecstatic fellow.
Somehow, I perceived that the most important thing I could do at that moment was copy Robin’s every move. Somehow I knew it was absolutely vital that Robin’s gran observe not just one idiot celebrating as if he’d scored at Wembley but as many of us as possible. All I wanted to do at that moment was to show Robin’s gran how much Robin is adored and loved here in his new life. I’ll always remember that goal celebration for as long as I live.
Robins gran is 1 of the best. I remember the time like it was yesterday she allowed me to join her, Robin and his girls for dinner at her house. This is not where the gesture ends, she encouraged me to buy fish and chips for them all, which were gleefully devoured and thoroughly enjoyed, after all… who doesn’t like free food? As Sheila went to get dessert, I remember the excitement as if I’d just won the lottery… 1, 2, 3, 4 delicious looking puddings for herself, Rob, the 2 girls…. Herein the story ends. I feel eternally grateful I was allowed to watch everyone eat dessert that day while I had none. Worst £50 I’ve ever spent.
I met Robin’s gran once at Penfield Town Hall moments before Robin and I and the rest of our team-mates were about to embark on another sporting endeavour. I can’t remember the opposition but we were representing Penfield Rangers FC in the Rochester & District Soccer League (RDSL).
The RDSL was founded in 1908 and Robin’s gran was born I would guess about 25 years later.
The only thing I remember about that game was that Robin scored and as he sprinted off to celebrate, it was clear that the only thing on his mind was looking at his gran as he did so. His knees were raised so high and he ran so fast that it was all I could do to keep up with the ecstatic fellow.
Somehow, I perceived that the most important thing I could do at that moment was copy Robin’s every move. Somehow I knew it was absolutely vital that Robin’s gran observe not just one idiot celebrating as if he’d scored at Wembley but as many of us as possible. All I wanted to do at that moment was to show Robin’s gran how much Robin is adored and loved here in his new life. I’ll always remember that goal celebration for as long as I live.