“Born a Fool”: Remembering My Gran on Her Birthday

A tribute to my Gran

If my Gran had been alive I would have been celebrating her birthday with her today. My Gran was a wonderful woman, full of catchphrases and care. “I’m not a chip person really,” whilst munching hungrily on a portion of fish and chips became renowned. Other phrases included, “Putrid,” (not very nice — a good word to use, but one that has sadly fallen out of common usage) “See you on the ice,” (goodbye) and “Flop’ead!” (Idiot, but in a nice way.) I miss her greatly.

When I was ill, and my parents were working, it was my Gran who came round and ensured I was wrapped snugly in a blanket. When I was 5 and the vet came round the house to put my Mum’s dog to sleep it was Gran who sat with me and my brothers in the kitchen.

I loved it when she ruffled my hair, even into adulthood, when we hugged.

My Gran loved to use a broom. I could never understand why — perhaps she just liked things to be clean, or, more likely in my view, she liked to have something to do, and she liked to be helpful. Every time she came round our house she would sweep the floor in the kitchen, or if it was already clean, the patio in the back garden. Even now, whenever I am sweeping in the house, or the hay in the guinea pig shed, my Gran comes to mind. How precious that such a simple act is so meaningful to me!

My Gran used to laugh that her birthday was on April Fools’ Day. With a glint in her eye she would smile and declare herself a fool, so that was all right then. Or, if she was feeling contrary, declare that she wasn’t a fool at all. Both times, she was right.

Yet it is the sadness that is twinned with this date for me that overshadows the jokes of friends and sometimes causes me to miss them entirely. I forget that for many, this is a day of laughter. I should, I suppose, laugh with them. It is what my Gran would have wanted.

I never told my Gran I am gay. I would like to think she would be OK with it. Certainly, I know she loved me deeply. My Gran would not have let who someone is prevent them from being loved and cherished. She would have stood by them, ruffled their hair, and invited them in for chips.

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