Who'd have thought a rainy day in a cemetery could be so uplifting?

My Grandmother (Hilda) was born in 1926, one of nine daughters born to James and Minnie Kisler. They had no sons.... but not for want of trying! :-)

Left to Right, Back Row: Betty, Peggy, Hilda, Violet, Mabel, Lily, Margaret, Ivy 
Front Row: Annette, James and Minnie Kisler

One by one, all the daughters left to get married and have families; Hilda was the only one who remained living with her parents until they died. When she was 18, during WWII, she had met a Canadian soldier who was based in the UK… to cut a long story very short… in 1945 my mother was born. Hilda never married, as the soldier (presumably with his musket fife and drum) hurried back to his ‘here’s one I made earlier’ wife and family in Canada, and Hilda was left to lead the then shameful life of an unmarried mother in the 1940’s. She was completely devoted to my beautiful mother, Sandy, and did a wonderful job of bringing her up. And when she (Sandy) became wheelchair bound in her mid twenties with Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Hilda was there to help Mum bring up her three young daughters, (myself and my two elder sisters) …like a second mum to us.

Mum, Dad and Nan - 1987

Sadly, in January this year, two weeks before her 67^th birthday, Mum passed away, and Hilda, at 85, had lost her one true reason for living. It was a worrying time; Hilda could easily have fallen into despair and given up as she was totally devastated by Mum’s death… but thankfully, and quite amazingly, she has found an incredible strength and seems healthier and more active than she’s been in a good few years. So much so that when I recently suggested to her we did the 170 mile round trip to visit her parents’ grave, she literally jumped (for joy) at the chance. She confessed to me that when my dad died in July 2010 she had resigned herself to the fact that she would most likely never get to visit her parents' resting place again. That made me sad. :'-(

Well, we made the trip two days ago. It was a bleak rainy day and we both got soaked to the skin… but it didn’t deter us or make us feel any less happy, as we scrubbed the blackened grave stone till it was shiny white and standing out like a beacon of love. Nan said it’s the best day out she’s ever had, (she’s a little prone to exaggerate) and that made me very happy! :'-)

Hilda and Me... 7th June 2012 - soggy but happy!

Below are some more photos from our day… it does look rather like I stood there taking photos of the poor old lady while she scrubbed away in the pouring rain… but I did do my fair share of scrubbing too… honest! ;-)

Before...

...and after!

Hilda didn’t recognise the grave at first, it was so dirty.

She didn't waste a minute getting out her scrubbing brush!

Nan having a little rest... lost in thought...

Round two... getting there!

A Beacon of Love

Nan’s parting words… “Shows somebody cares”

I thoroughly enjoyed my rainy day in the cemetery with Nan… it's a memory I will always cherish. I have promised her I will take her back up for her birthday in August... we're both looking forward to it! :-)