Do you remember your nana? Do you remember her smell? The look in her eyes when you made her proud? Do you remember spending quiet Saturday afternoons with her - just happy being in her company?
I remember all this and much more. My nan was amazing.
My nan was about 5 foot 5 with brown hair, dark skin, a big home baking made belly, skinny chicken legs, a shining white smile and strong arms that gave the best hugs.
A hug from my nan was like being enveloped in warm honey. A hug from my nan felt fantastic. Her big belly ensured that I could never get my arms all the way around her. Her smell was a mix of baking, talcum powder, sweet perfume and the smell that’s peculiar only to fabric shops.
Her comment as she grabbed my up into her arms was always, "love ya my girl"
My nan had a fighter’s spirit. A trait she kindly passed on to my mum and me. I admire my nan for her spirit. In a time when women were meant to do as their fathers told them she thumbed her nose to society and convention. She left her native Australia and came to New Zealand to follow the love of her life. For it she was exiled from her family, but she didn’t care – she did what she wanted and was so much happier for it.
She used that spirit to bring up 4 kids on a railway worker’s salary. She used that spirit to encourage her grandkids to be true to themselves and do what they wanted. She used that spirit to make the best of every situation and to always see the bright side of life.
My nan’s spirit ensured she wouldn’t take any crap from people and that her opinion was always known. Her spirit made her someone you’d always think twice about crossing and her spirit ensured that as a grandkid you always felt safe and protected from anyone and anything – including my parents sending me to bed early! I felt she was always on my side.
My nan was the best baker. I remember her house always smelt of freshly baked scones, muffins, biscuits and cakes. Even now when I smell home baking I always think of her. I’m a terrible cook but I can bake well and it’s all thanks to my nan’s fantastic teaching skills.
We used to spend happy Saturday afternoons baking up a storm. While most adults wouldn’t trust me to carry a drink my nan encouraged me to use hot oven, sharp knives and cake mixers while we baked. My nan had faith in me and let me do it all. She knew that the only way I could improve was to practise. She was always there guiding me, letting me grow.
And even though she did the majority of the baking she let me feel confident in the importance of my help.
It was the look of pure pride in her eyes and a big nana hug that kept me going even when I made rock cakes!
Even though we were baking it was my nan’s pride and teaching that really made me grow in self confidence.
My nan was an amazing person. She gave hugs like warm honey. She passed on her fighters spirit to me and her patient teaching all lead to me growing in self confidence and realising that no matter what anyone else thought I could do anything I set me mind to.
My nan was an amazing lady – and in the words of a very wise quote, "Nanas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever."
-Louise Hunter
