A bunch of hydrangeas

Well, this week has been a tough one for my family. Last week, the family gathered to say goodbye to my Grandma. It was tough for all of us and the loss will be one that we feel for a long time, especially around Christmas when we would usually be headed of to 'the Bay' for a day of catching up with the family and overeating.

Anyone that knew Grandma would know that she wasn't always an easy person to get along with, and most people had some form of falling out with her along the line. Some people might think that these personality clashes would make the loss of Grandma easier to deal with, but in fact, it is exactly the opposite. Grandma's huge personality, and her habit of butting in and trying to control her children and grandchildren's decisions has made her a huge and central figure in all of our lives. She was such a massive part of my family that I am still struggling to comprehend the fact that she is gone.

With the family all gathered, and everyone's thoughts on Grandma, a lot of funny stories have been told. Most of these reminiscences were ones that I was already familiar with, but there were a few I hadn't heard before. For a few of us, though, one of the things that we have been reminiscing about, something that will now always be connected with Grandma in my mind and is now a sort of symbol of her personality is a bunch of hydrangeas. During my childhood, there was always a large vase full of dried hydrangeas on Grandma's mantelpiece, and somehow these large and colourful blooms seem to be the perfect floral emblem for her. Apparently, Grandma had a theory that a large bunch of flowers would draw a visitors eye and distract them from the mess. And that was just Grandma all over.