Thank you for this beautiful piece Kai. Thank you for introducing me to your meme. She was a very special lady and a survivor.
Your writing was deeply moving. It brought me back to the many hours I spent with my grandfather helping him organise his tackle workshop (fishing being his special interest) and seating beside him ploughing a field on his tractor. With him I felt safe, entirely accepted and loved just for being me.
That is powerful legacy to leave someone.
He was born in the 1920s in the South of France in a rural community in a modest family. He left school early to work when his dad died on a German mine right at the end of the War and couldn’t read well. However he did two things extremely well - cultivate his land and catch sea bass.
He was a man of few words but his actions spoke for him. He was a deeply generous and empathetic. A pillar in his community. And when he passed in his 90s, having willed himself to die from the grief of no longer being able to do the things he loved so much, hundreds attended his funeral.
I was very fortunate to have known him. His presence in my life continues to heal me… and I am thankful to you for having brought him back to me this morning.
Thank you for sharing Meme with us. You write beautifully.
Thank you so much! That means a lot 🙏
I'm sorry for your loss, your Grandmother sounds like my kinda human. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you 🥹 She was really something!
Meme sounds like an incredible woman with an equally strong and amazing granddaughter. Thank you for sharing these stories
Thank you so much 🥹 I owe that strength to her! 💜🙏
Thank you for this beautiful piece Kai. Thank you for introducing me to your meme. She was a very special lady and a survivor.
Your writing was deeply moving. It brought me back to the many hours I spent with my grandfather helping him organise his tackle workshop (fishing being his special interest) and seating beside him ploughing a field on his tractor. With him I felt safe, entirely accepted and loved just for being me.
That is powerful legacy to leave someone.
He was born in the 1920s in the South of France in a rural community in a modest family. He left school early to work when his dad died on a German mine right at the end of the War and couldn’t read well. However he did two things extremely well - cultivate his land and catch sea bass.
He was a man of few words but his actions spoke for him. He was a deeply generous and empathetic. A pillar in his community. And when he passed in his 90s, having willed himself to die from the grief of no longer being able to do the things he loved so much, hundreds attended his funeral.
I was very fortunate to have known him. His presence in my life continues to heal me… and I am thankful to you for having brought him back to me this morning.