In loving memory

Mimi

Joy Fordyce  (My Grandmother - My Mimi)

Buttery blue bonnet marmalade toast soldiers,

served on a worn pull-out kitchen chopping board.

I sit perched on the kitchen stool

munching

as you busy about in your place of creation.

Just one more chocolate and caramel slice

or maybe some of your melt in the mouth shortbread,

a ginger gem.

Washed down … tea with milk, ‘NO SUGAR'.

Handkerchiefs and toilet water;

soap;

powder and dried flowers.

Doll cake - a doll with no lower legs;

birthday cakes;

wedding cakes;

pavlova;

boozy trifle and minted peas. 

You bend to wipe porridge off the chin of your mother, 

scooping up the plate and replacing it with a glass of port (or was it sherry?),

efficient,

caring. 

Short lived –

Sundays, going to church,

standing on the pew at your side and singing gibberish to the hymn book,

to young to read.

Then to the sunday school that I did not like.

I don't think I ever told you why? ...

       the big girls wouldn't tell me who Jesus was.

Did I dash all your hopes when I refused to go?

Me,

dressed in the family Kangaroo costume.

Spinning in a school folk dancing show.

Other children either jumping or being taken out by my tail. 

Crocheted ‘granny blankets’ of many colours.

Beach days;

the ferry passing by;

the smell of fresh fish in your back yard;

coming by to take Cowboy for a ride.

A hooded dressing gown of white with tiny flowers.

(So prized I still have it)

Cross stitch and collected spoons.

Me,

dressed as a poodle,

winning the school gala fancy dress competition.

Your joy at my win and then

disappointment at my choosing of my prize (Sammy Snake) against your advice.

The click of your needles.

The softness of my green woolen vest.

How 80's cool I looked in my crimson angle wing jumper and

the "to die for" jersey with the bright house pattern that matched my coloured tights. 

Your voice "Hello Dear".

Mine "Hello Mims"

The smell of oil paints on landscapes;

Huka Falls.

That day - you know the one.

Your loyalty to family.

Pansies and Hydrangeas;

Blues and purples.

Stories

of: cleaning a step;

church scandals;

family life.

Forever,

sweet soft Mohair will conjure your smile

and Blue Bonnet Marmalade will always be posh.

 Mimi pushing me in my very flash pram while Debbie (Mum) looks on 

Mimi, Rebecca And Debbie (Mum)

Story Time: Mimi reads to me

Mimi and Rebecca

Not Mimi's back yard but you get the idea of our fishing trips!

Rebecca And Robert (Dad)

'Helping' Mimi with the washing

Mimi and Rebecca

Doll Cake made by Mimi for my 2nd Birthday at her house

Dolly and Rebecca

Love B xox