Geraniums for Nana
15x22
Nana
11x14
Photo of Nana and me
Nana, my great-grandmother
March 24, 1897 - September 28, 1997
Nana was a very strong and truly good person. She worked so hard all of her life. She was giving and a caretaker of everyone. Widowed very early in her marriage, Nana raised her only daughter with the help of family. This must be what gave her her patience and what made her have to be strong.
What I like to remember about my great-grandmother is her laugh, I can still hear it. She loved us all so much. She had all of the time in the world and appreciated the simple things in life. I remember her pointing out the evening breeze and how good it felt. She said, "This is my air conditioner," one night when we were sitting on the front porch.
Nana ended up living with alzhiemers for over 10 years. It was too long to live like that in my opinion. Below is a poem I wrote in 1986 when I was a senior in highschool (thank you to my teacher, Mr. Joseph Wilson) about Nana and her alzheimer's.
Requiem for Nana and Me
Once I laughed at you
Telling me I was a naughty girl
Pointing that finger at me
I climbed higher, swinging on weak branches to watch you yell and scold me
I knew you wouldn't be mad, though.
But no more can I run and hide from you.
You are too old to chase me
I am too old to play silly games.
Never again can I sit in your lap
You are frail and like dead tree branches for me
I never understood why you worried when I would be a big girl
Always wanting me to stay little.
Oh Nana, I want to spit againso you will tell me that is bad
I want to walk to the store with you holding my hand tight.
I hate the smell of this place
You can't even notice it
You barely notice me.
Nana, this can't happen
But, you can't do anything
Neither can I
Nobody can
Okay, Nana
I'll stop whining and be a good little girl.
Hi, Liana - this is such a beautiful tribute. The geranium, the beautiful portrait, the photos, and the very moving poem. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing these memories. I have to think that your Nana would be so proud of the talented and lovely woman that you are today.
ReplyDeleteI was touched by this post. Lovely tribute for your Nana.
ReplyDeleteTwo very good paintings, and a very touching story and poem. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteLovely, Liana! Your geraniums are stunning--like a macro photo and then the bokeh background--so pretty!
ReplyDeleteAnd your portrait of your dear grandmother is full of love. Such a touching post! She will live on in you...xo
Thank you for your kind words. I did the geraniums years ago, I can't remember if it was before or after 2000. When I first did the portrait of Nana, maybe 2 years ago, I did not like it. But, now I like it a lot. I may have not captured her smile exactly, but, I still see her in the painting. So hang onto your paintings!!!
ReplyDeleteThe relation between a grandmother and her granddaughter is very special. I know it because I'm grandfather and I can see to my wife with your granddaugther. Your post is a great tribute to all grandmothers accompanied with a beautifull watercolor.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful remembrance. Thank you for sharing it. The geraniums are beautiful
ReplyDeleteLiana,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your great-grandmother. I am sure she would be proud if she could see it.
Granddaughters are very special, they come into your life just when you need a little something to get excited about.
Your painting is lovely and your poem was very sweet.
It must have been wonderful to have a great-grandmother to love like you did. Your post moved me, Liana!
ReplyDelete