When families - and especially grandparents and grandchildren - are estranged, the emotional toll can be unimaginable. One gransnetter finds comfort in the hope that, one day, her granddaughter may just be able to read her letters.
Darling Holly,
On 11 June you will be one year old. The last time I saw you was on 29 August last year – a Saturday; you were 2½ months old and already as bright as a wee button. A delightful, adorable, smiley baby and so pretty.
I took some photos of you that day, and as I took them, I felt a deep sadness because in my heart I knew that this would the last time I would see you and hold you - as a baby at least - for who knows what the future may hold.
Your parents split up that day and sadly it was not amicable. Your mummy told your daddy that he would never see you again.
I am writing this letter to leave with the solicitor until you are 18 years old, because if I don't see you again I want you to know about us and that for the 2½ months we knew you, Granddad and I loved you very much.
I took some photos of you that day, and as I took them, I felt a deep sadness because in my heart I knew that this would the last time I would see you and hold you...
As I write this I am nearing my 62nd birthday – you and I are both Gemini! I am passionate about the environment, and human and animal welfare. I love sewing, knitting, singing and playing ukulele, gardening, reading and writing. I made you a patchwork quilt after you were born; your mum sent it back to me but I still have it here, along with some other things I keep in a box for you.
I also want you to know about your daddy. Like everybody, he has his good and his not so good points. However the good points far outweigh the not so good; I say this not just because I am his mum but because he is genuinely a lovely, caring man.
He loved you so much and in the short time he spent with you, he cuddled you, fed you, changed your nappies and bathed you, played guitar, sang to you and made you giggle.
He is clever, creative, musical and very funny. He cares very much about the environment and animal welfare too.
His bad points, I'm glad to say, are few. Mainly that he tends to bury his head in the sand when serious matters have to be dealt with and rather than stand up for himself he would just give in. I think it is because he cannot cope with stress. When he and your mum were first together, he loved her very much but they just couldn't get on well together.
Dearest Holly, I hope your life up to now has been a happy one and will continue to be so. Please know that you have always been in our thoughts and loved from a distance.
All our love and best wishes forever.
Grandma and Granddad.
xxxxx xxxxx
