Laurel-lea Jennings

My final good bye

Margaret, Maggie, Mrs, Mum, Ma, Grandma, G-ma, Grannie, great Grandma.

These names are all synonymous with Courage, Bravery, Strength, Noble, Family and Love. 

For 41 years I have had the privilege of calling this lady, my Grandma. We laughed together, cried together and celebrated together. It wasn’t just the big things she got excited about, but it was the small things too. For example - I remember showing her that my nails were finally growing on their own. She was so excited. Nothing was too silly.

She was always your biggest cheerleader. Going through fertility treatments and surrogacy she was always interested, always positive and kept telling me that everything would work out, that our baby was on the way, to just keep going and she was right. Grandma cried with happiness when she met Elizabeth. She said “I knew she was coming. I knew things would work out”. 

From, I don’t even remember how young I was, I have loved music. Tinkering away on the piano and organ is a huge core memory for me. She taught me the importance of music in the home. Something I continue to this day, especially with Elizabeth.

Grandma was a very proud woman. Proud of her heritage, home and proud of her family. Family meant the world to her. Her 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and her 6 great grandchildren - we were all lights in her heart. A little piece of each of us has gone to heaven with her. 

When grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago, I was determined that I wanted to be part of the fight. Be a part of helping find a cure. That started me on a road that I’m so grateful for. Because of grandmas diagnoses I started working with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Because of the strength and fight I saw in her, it gave be the courage and drive to fundraise every year on her behalf. She is my why. She is my motivation. I will continue my 15 year journey with the National Breast Cancer foundation in her honour and even if I can help make a small difference, it will be because of her. 

She never wanted us to be sad. She fought so hard each and every day for the last 17 years. She would want us to be grateful of the time we all had together and cherish all the good times, to Love each other and be there for one another. That is what she would have wanted. 

So, I may cry today, but I won’t be sad. I know grandma is with her soul mate again. I know grandma is without pain. I know that she is sitting with her cuppa and a ciggie, grandpa with his scotch and they are catching up on the past 9 years, probably watching tennis on mute together. 

Until we meet again G-ma, love you to the moon and back.