Sadly after nearly 94 years of life, the last 10 with Alzheimer's, I said my final goodbye to my Nanny, Donna Perkins (maternal grandmother), early last week.
For the better part of 40 years, she spoiled me rotten. Christmas was always filled with the latest VHS or DVD release, Piroulines, MAD Magazines and, unquestionably, the best ginger cookies (thankfully, I got her to teach me the recipe the last time she was in Ottawa).
When I went to college, she'd call me regularly.
Later on, she played a big part in my travelling independently. First inviting me to fly down and stay with her for a few days over the summer (seven of them), then being the first person (before even my parents) who was okay with me going to TCAF and Toronto on my own.
A couple years after my first trip to Toronto, she was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Visits and conversations were fewer and farther between from then on, save for Christmas.
My last visit with my Nanny was two years ago to share one last coffee and show her some photos from a comic convention in Halifax (photo above), during a Hymn Sing at the long-term care facility she was living at. Her memory was poor, and the vibe of a room full of senior citizens "dancing" to Spirit In The Sky was definitely something else...😆, but she looked great compared to two years prior in her home, almost like she used to.
I do have a few minor regrets not visiting her after that, but that visit alone is a perfect final memory, encompassing everything I loved about her.
Will love and miss her always.
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