Joan Magrath 20 March 1914 - 9 Aug 2007

Well, being Grandma birthday the other day, I decided to bring this post over from my dead defunct blog on to this one for 'safer' keeping. (Also mother calling me to remind me it was her birthday the other day, ergo very close to mine, to which I replied: Nope, I'm not having anymore birthdays, I officially resign from the institution and concept of aging!)

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Since I live in Taiwan, I'm not able to attend the funeral. Grandma lived a good long life. She lived longer than any other known family member, record breaker :). 93. Since I wasn't at the funeral, I still wanted to say something of course, so...here it is. She passed away in her sleep (while on morphine, so, obviously painless), after many little strokes and well, old age. No more pain, sickness, bad hair days, tax or Monday mornings for Granny. Ahh, if only we could be so lucky.

My Grandma.

Well, my only regret is that I cannot be with you all in person. In fact as this is read I'm probably sleeping. Yet, I can imagine tears. Every funeral seems to have them, and as I write this I begin to tear up a bit myself. I wonder why. Have I lost a loved one? Well, if one believes in the life hereafter as I do, then no. I haven't lost my Grandmother at all.

After my mum called be to tell me of the news, I went to the kitchen and smiled. "Hey Grandma" I said, "This is where we (my wife and I) live". Now she can see it. She can see where we work, where we live. Guess I'd better behave now...Granny is watching. (I can almost see my mother rolling her eyes, Kane...behave?)

Be happy. I recall what Grandma said to me one day. "I miss your Grandfather." Well, Grandma, miss him no more. Perhaps that is why the tears are here. Because now, we get to miss you. But only for a while.

Our own passing is but a matter of time, and what we do with the time allotted to us is what really counts. My Grandmother led a full life. No regrets. She grew up, married, had a lovely daughter. Was able to see her grow up and have her own family. She was also able to see her grandson marry (at long last I hear my mother sigh). This is a life beyond most. I hope we can all be as lucky as my Grandmother.

May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts. With you all in spirit.
Kane.


Grandma's Poem:

2 single beds for a married couple at 121 Martin Street,
Why has still got me beat.

The Green Triumph with pitstops in Taihape.
Sunday dinners with a shandy.

Old cake tins full of freshly baked cookies delivered weekly.
Crochet and Knitting, gifts for all, thanks Granny.

Playing 500, doing Jigsaw puzzles, even if the pieces don't fit.
Buying the latest VCR, with no idea how to use it.

Proudly announcing "I got my hair permed" or "Beans from the garden", and "Ohh, yes yes" with a smile.
Till when we meet again, we'll have to wait awhile.

Also, the last time I saw Grandma from the beginning of this year, this video.

Liam tries wasabi!

Well the other night after a long day at work, wifey dearest had lovingly made yours truly sushi. (nah, she brought it).

I love wasabi, even had competitions back home over who could eat the most, a competition that regularly ended in massive headaches and tears, but funny as hell. We however were never 'stupid' enough to actually snort the stuff, have a look at some youtube videos of people actually doing that. Funny to look at, but when faced with the proposition of actually doing that yourself, I'd take a flying pass.

Anyho, as my son grows he inevitably always wants whatever your having, regardless whether it's orange juice, beer, sake... (kidding I never let him have juice...)

A couple of months ago, he really wanted some of my noodles. They were very spicy, but he was very insistent. That ended in me getting ice cubes from the freezer to help numb the burning sensation in his mouth. Poor guy.

Well, of course, I'm eating my sushi with wasabi and sonny dearest wants in on the action, and for lack of a better word it is hilarious as like a typical guy, he tries and tries again. View at your leisure and no animals were harmed in the making of this video.