The parents recently were in Brisbane to celebrate my aunty's birthday. It was a milestone birthday and as is appropriate at such occasions, the entire extended family was there. People I'd never heard of but am apparently related to all converged on my cousin's house to help May blow out her candles.
One man, the husband of a second cousin (or so I'm told) sidled up to Dad and asked what the marital situation was with Anna and I. Evidently he subscribed to the Mrs Bennet school of match-making, for any woman in her 20s must surely be wanting of a husband, no?
Dad told him that Anna's boyfriend, Dave, had recently returned from a 2 year stint overseas and that Tom and I are, for all intents and purposes, living together. In this last statement Mr Nosy detected some gossip gold and practically ran to my Nanna's side. Determined to upset her it would seem.
Silly move. Nan is not someone to be trifled with. At 91 she is spritely and has a busier social calendar than I do. Every other day she's either off to cards or lunch or an excursion of some kind and has friends of varying ages. And for one in her 10th decade, she's pretty aware of current trends. She once rang to inform me of the various contraceptive options available to me.
It transpired that once there this buffoon set about asking Nan in a somewhat triumphant manner if she knew her darling granddaughter and her boyfriend were Living Together? I don't think he was expecting what came next.
According to Dad, Nan turned on him and unleashed her rapier-sharp tongue.
'No! I did not know that but what difference does it make? And furthermore, what business is it of yours? I couldn't care less who she lives with so long as she loves him and he treats her well. It's got nothing to do with you - or me.'
But Nan wasn't quite finished. Fixing him with a steely glare, she continued,
'You know, I would still love her and be proud of her even if she killed someone.'
Apparently he moved off pretty quickly after that. I would have done the same.
Consider yourselves warned: you mess with my Nan at your own risk.
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13 comments:
LOVE it. yay for super feisty women. birthday wishes to your gran.
I love your Nan. She sounds a lot like my dear departed grandma. Very loving and open minded. And not one to suffer fools.
'You know, I would still love her and be proud of her even if she killed someone.'
With support like that you could go into politics.
Gee, at ninety one, that is a pretty active life. It is odd how things change as you get older. I can talk to my mother like I have never before. You have inspired me to post about old Greek women. Thanks for the honour in the previous post MD, but I have done too many of these things over the years and I no longer have the inclination. Note, even Jayne leaves me out of these now. Haha.
I like the sound of your grandmother. On the other hand your second cousin's husband sounds more like the Rev. Mr Collins than Mrs. Bennett (or even, possibly Lady Catherine De Burgh). Still, he got his comeuppance. Well done, that Grandmama !!!
Bahaha. Go Nan!
What a swine! When I grow up I want to be like your Nan:)
*blows a raspberry to Andrew* lol
Yay for your Nan!
What a sad little man...and they reckon women are troublke making gossips?!
Lucky girl! You have the coolest Nanna ever.
Good on your Nan. People should get over themselves and stop projecting their own emotional turmoil onto others.
Bugger your nanna - I wouldn't want to mess with you MD! *wink*
Ling, if Nan's anything, she's feisty. She's not had it easy but would never, ever let on.
Phish, do you think it's something to do with the era in which they were raised?
Brian, it is something I've considered...
Andrew, why, I am honoured to be your inspiration! And no worries about the award, I know no everyone does them but credit goes where credit is due.
Mike & Ann, you're right on the Mr Collins comment. Whatever would Lady Catherine think of my shenanigans?
Frisky - exactly. I figure at that age you do what you like and to hell with what they think!
Pat, she'd be delighted to hear such a thing. Thank you.
Jayne, according to my Nan he's always been a good-for-nothing gossip. She told me that he and his wife are hosting a morning tea soon - she had offered to go and supply several cakes but has since rescinded the offer in light of his behaviour.
Daisy, I think so too.
Reuben, why can't more people think like you?
Deb, don't be scared of me. We roll together, yo.
P.s. I think your Nan should keep a blog. In view of her active lifestyle I think it would make interesting reading.
Regards, Mike.
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