F NANA. The Last Day.

NANA. The Last Day.

The dawn's light filtered into her bedroom, breaking the monotony of
the darkness, which had been her only companion through the long
night.

Sleep was, and had been, a very erratic and somewhat evasive thing over
the last few years. Necessary as a refresher for the physical body, but
also a period of mental activity, sometimes bringing confused vivid
recollections of past years.
Her eyes wondered around the small room. Looking at the few possessions
that she had retained from earlier years, and thought to
herself&;#8230;..There seems very little left!

On the chest of drawers, she saw five ten Pence pieces, which she had
placed there the previous day, in readiness for the next visitation of
her Great grand children, when, &;#8230;..on departure for their
home, she would go through the ritual of giving a coin to each one, and
receive a kiss of thank you, and goodbye.
Their explosive bubbling play delighted her to watch, but left her
slightly exhausted, by their continual activity and confusing
chatter.

A car travelling past the house, brought her mind and attention to the
world outside, and, raising herself upon the bed, she sat observing the
people making their way to their places of employment, some stepping
out in brisk manner, others displaying their reluctance to commit
themselves to the activities of he new day.

She was very interested in people, and possessed a great capacity for
details and facts which could be drawn upon during conversations
appertaining to&;#8230;..Who married whom,
Or&;#8230;who was what.

PAGE - 2 -

Her body was not strong now, but her mind was active.
All papers and books of any kind were read from cover to cover, and
then points of particular interest were read again.
Political, Religious, and matters relating to the financial world were
absorbed&;#8230;and, if not clearly understood, were thought about
deeply.
The one subject that interested her most, was the Royal
Family and, its history. She was always delighted and happy to receive
coloured publications about their current activities.

Downstairs the letterbox rattled loudly, as the newspaper boy
delivered the tabloid for the day, also the other anticipated pleasure,
of the. " Woman " magazine, containing light relief and simple
reading.

This was the signal for the start of the morning, and, softly placing
her feet on the floor of the bedroom, she stood quietly to obtain her
balance, and allow her to stabilise into the vertical position, before
slowly walking along the landing into the bathroom, were she performed
her morning ablutions.

Her body was bent, and her shoulders had taken on a hunched position
with sitting for so many hours, being unable to walk much, or be active
in the house, as she had been in the past.
She would have liked to have done more than just dust a little, and
wash a few pots&;#8230;Unfortunately her pace was not acceptable,
and&;#8230;maybe she missed things occasionally,
But. Her feelings and senses were in no way diminished,
In addition, her thoughts were her own.

PAGE - 3 -

Making her way back to the bedroom, she slowly dressed, pausing after
each article of clothing to rest, and regain her strength after her
exertions. Finally, brushing her hair, and replacing in her ear, the
annoying, but necessary hearing aid, which magnified greatly some
noises, and often caused confusion and pain in her mind, when voice
levels were too low, or conversations and comments were made at a high
volume.

Moving along the landing, she paused to look out of the window, down
into the garden,&;#8230;.then, proceeded very carefully down the
stairs, placing her feet firmly on each step,
And finally arriving in the hall, to pick up the newspapers, and walk
into the lounge and across to the high backed chair, which stood in the
bay window.
The house being situated on the corner of four roads, gave
The chair a very advantageous position, enabling her to observe all the
activities of both vehicle and pedestrians.
A group of children passing the house on their way to school,
Waved to the familiar figure sitting in the window, and they,
Like many other children and adults, received a smile and a nod of the
head in return.

The low sun, arose from behind the houses, and shone its weak golden
rays into the garden. The light picked out the autumn tints, and
reflected from the mirrors of morning dew, still clinging to the blades
of grass.

PAGE - 4 -

She had mixed feelings about autumn. Beautiful for its colours, but sad
that everything was ending.
She remembered feeling relief and happiness at this time in the year,
when harvest was finished and safely gathered in.
Completing the long days of hard work and
fatigue&;#8230;But!&;#8230;

A smile crossed her face as she recalled the satisfaction and
contentment that those times had given her&;#8230;

She sat, reflecting upon passed times&;#8230;Her mind wondering over
many things&;#8230;..And she thought&;#8230;." I wonder what
today will bring? "

But luckily&;#8230; She, like us all&;#8230; Did not know.

G.D.J.