Grandparents...
He claims his life is mundane, doing the same thing day in day out, living for his grandchildren...well, that may be, but he certainly has some stories does Granddad Mills.
...Of holidays in the past, the highway to Spain, a video of an actual journey (and by that I mean every second of his actual journey) along the highway to Spain, with running commentary to add effect along the way, it makes me smile. Many wartime stories- inspirational. Radio recordings of his first wife (my Grandma) wishing him a happy birthday every year in the 80s, when, having been given the knowledge that Granddad was in charge of the erecting shop building aircraft, Ray Moore sarcastically puts 'poor old Chas, slaving away on his tod, in order to get this aircraft built!'
Many many stories, stories I have heard before, we can all repeat them in our heads word for word while he is telling them, and then a new one crops up and excitement fills the room! Stories well told, and each time they get better.
Aside from his stories though, there are many other reasons that make Granddad a unique individual. How he is nearing on ninety years of age, yet still drives down Primrose Hill every morning to the post office in the next village to get his paper. How he dresses so smart, every single day, even when gardening he looks a darn sight smarter than many! How not even ten years ago, he would still come to the top of the garden with us to have a kick about- and by this I really mean he would join in, his West Ham days shining through! How every Christmas he comes up with a game, and every year he never fails to disappoint. His comments about situations and topics of life that make you wince and stir and smile and laugh. He is one of the best.
Then there is the other side, Granny and Granddad Williams. Married for 54yrs. Logic in their madness they say, with Granny shouting 'Roooooyyyyyyyy' if ever she needs anything. That is what my mind cries out whenever I think of them. Their house is filled with memories of our childhood- like the tadpoles in the bath outside, that time I spilt my entire dinner over Granny's CREAM carpet and Great Granddad's extra comfy chair. They too have their individualities. If ever you have a question, something baffles you or you simply need heaps of information, Granddad Williams is your port of call. He is like a human encyclopaedia, oozing with intellect. Then, we have Granny. She is a one! If ever you enter into a 'Boots' or 'Marks and Spencer', she then thinks that everyone working in said 'Boots' or 'Marks and Spencer' has met and remembers her due to her having a 'Boots' or 'Marks and Spencer' at home. Likewise, if ever you find yourself in my village shop, due to her having been there a handful of times, then therefore in her head she definitely knows you! Her favourite words are 'fuggle' (constituting an obvious swear word) and 'sod' which I am quite fond of as well, and she will speak to and make friends with anyone, anywhere, no matter what the occasion.
They all have their individualities, they all have their embarrassing traits, but they are all filled up to the brim with so much more knowledge, advice and stories than us, they are all, whether still with us or sadly not, just simply the best!
...Of holidays in the past, the highway to Spain, a video of an actual journey (and by that I mean every second of his actual journey) along the highway to Spain, with running commentary to add effect along the way, it makes me smile. Many wartime stories- inspirational. Radio recordings of his first wife (my Grandma) wishing him a happy birthday every year in the 80s, when, having been given the knowledge that Granddad was in charge of the erecting shop building aircraft, Ray Moore sarcastically puts 'poor old Chas, slaving away on his tod, in order to get this aircraft built!'
Many many stories, stories I have heard before, we can all repeat them in our heads word for word while he is telling them, and then a new one crops up and excitement fills the room! Stories well told, and each time they get better.
Aside from his stories though, there are many other reasons that make Granddad a unique individual. How he is nearing on ninety years of age, yet still drives down Primrose Hill every morning to the post office in the next village to get his paper. How he dresses so smart, every single day, even when gardening he looks a darn sight smarter than many! How not even ten years ago, he would still come to the top of the garden with us to have a kick about- and by this I really mean he would join in, his West Ham days shining through! How every Christmas he comes up with a game, and every year he never fails to disappoint. His comments about situations and topics of life that make you wince and stir and smile and laugh. He is one of the best.
Then there is the other side, Granny and Granddad Williams. Married for 54yrs. Logic in their madness they say, with Granny shouting 'Roooooyyyyyyyy' if ever she needs anything. That is what my mind cries out whenever I think of them. Their house is filled with memories of our childhood- like the tadpoles in the bath outside, that time I spilt my entire dinner over Granny's CREAM carpet and Great Granddad's extra comfy chair. They too have their individualities. If ever you have a question, something baffles you or you simply need heaps of information, Granddad Williams is your port of call. He is like a human encyclopaedia, oozing with intellect. Then, we have Granny. She is a one! If ever you enter into a 'Boots' or 'Marks and Spencer', she then thinks that everyone working in said 'Boots' or 'Marks and Spencer' has met and remembers her due to her having a 'Boots' or 'Marks and Spencer' at home. Likewise, if ever you find yourself in my village shop, due to her having been there a handful of times, then therefore in her head she definitely knows you! Her favourite words are 'fuggle' (constituting an obvious swear word) and 'sod' which I am quite fond of as well, and she will speak to and make friends with anyone, anywhere, no matter what the occasion.
They all have their individualities, they all have their embarrassing traits, but they are all filled up to the brim with so much more knowledge, advice and stories than us, they are all, whether still with us or sadly not, just simply the best!
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