tiny happy

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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

winter view

Wed 1
Wed 2

It was so hard, but we had to say goodbye to my grandmother last week. 

She was quite unwell in the second half of her life but she faced it directly with humour and courage and never complained. She had a special talent for finding something worthwhile and fun in every situation, even when she couldn't get around at all and was completely reliant on others. 

My grandmother was an amazing knitter, specialising in colour work jumpers knitted in the round. The last time we talked she was giving me tips on knitting men's socks and ties and describing all the different things she knitted for my grandfather when they were younger.

It was lovely to be surrounded by family and friends in farewelling Nana in the winter sunshine.

Here's a piece of music she really loved: The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. She also loved quite a lot of cheesy music such as the Beegees and the hits from Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals. 

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I hope your week has been a good one.

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37 responses to “winter view”

  1. Ella Avatar
    Ella

    So sorry to hear this, Melissa. Sounds like she was a real gem. Love to you and your family xxx

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  2. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Isn’t it great that your Nana liked cheesy (unpretentious) music? I read that The Lark Ascending was The People’s choice of Desert Island Discs. Its lightness, freewheeling, soaring is what we would wish for our Grandmas and Nanas. You might have heard this already:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04qpmw9

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  3. sally Avatar
    sally

    Much love to you Melissa. Your grandma sounds great, and like she was quite abit like you! Knitting jerseys in the round – legend! take good care xxx

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  4. Jo McMahon Avatar
    Jo McMahon

    Sincere condolences to you and your family. She belonged to
    a very special generation. So lovely to have all those memories. The Lark Ascending is sublime. Xx

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  5. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy

    Sorry to hear about your Nana, Melissa – what a wonderful lady and sounds like she must have inspired you too. The Lark Ascending is a beautiful piece of music – very peaceful and makes you feel like you are floating up to the clouds. Take care x

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  6. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you wendy! yes, i agree – it is very cloud-floating music. XX

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  7. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you jo. yes her generation is an interesting one – she saw so much change in her lifetime.
    hope youre well.

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  8. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    haha yes – i wish she could give me a colourwork knitting lesson!
    thanks for your kind words.
    X

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  9. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi sally, thank you for your message! i had heard that the lark ascending was very popular in the UK and was often named as a favourite piece of classical music. thanks for the link – id forgotten all about desert island discs 🙂

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  10. pip Avatar
    pip

    I am so sorry to hear about your Nana. She sounds like such a good egg – and has obviously shared her talents and eye for everyday treasures with you. Love to you and your family. x

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  11. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    dear pip,
    thank you for your very kind words, and yes she really did share those things with me!
    melissa XX

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  12. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you dear ella, XX

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  13. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Hi Melissa, cherish those lovely memories of your Nana. Special thoughts to you and your family. Regards Karen

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  14. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you karen!!
    – melissa

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  15. Daffodil Angel Avatar
    Daffodil Angel

    Hi Melissa
    Very sorry to hear your news re your nana. May she rest in peace. Big hug to you from down under. Best wishes J

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  16. Meg Avatar
    Meg

    Hello, Melissa. I was sorry to read about your Nana’s passing and send my love and thoughts to you and your family. I think you’ll be reminded of her often as you work with your yarns and your threads. And that music…oh, how beautiful!
    Meg Xxx

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  17. Mousy Brown Avatar
    Mousy Brown

    My Nan had The Lark Ascending played at her funeral (at her request) at the time, 17 years ago it was thought quite unusual…but now I think that maybe there are lots of Nanas out there that love it…I remember it as a very special part of the day, one that still makes me have goosebumps….
    How lovely that you have all those special moments and memories to remember her by and especially that last crafting conversation…what a gem! Xx

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  18. Ruth Avatar
    Ruth

    So sorry to hear about your Nana,she sounds like a wonderful woman.
    Ruth

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  19. KarenLR Avatar
    KarenLR

    Grandmothers are very special people, yours sounds like a gem. Sending light and love and comfort from Vermont. xo

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  20. Candyce Avatar
    Candyce

    How you will miss her! Thank you so much for sharing the Lark ascending. It was so beautiful that I texted the link to my husband and he found a particularly moving version with Hilary Hahn playing the violin.

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  21. Susan Hemann Avatar
    Susan Hemann

    So sorry for your loss. I miss my grandmother, she was an amazing knitter and artist working in oils and pottery. So glad to have wonderful memories. Prayers

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  22. Ali Ferg Avatar
    Ali Ferg

    Dear Melissa,
    I am so sorry you have had to say goodbye to your Grandmother. How awfully hard that is…
    In the photo she looks such a kind, caring and serene lady., and far too young to be unwell.
    What happiness you must have given, for her to realise you shared her artistic, creative talents, and love for working with wool. And to know that you are sharing those, and encouraging so many of us to continue these crafts and passions.
    I think that would have contributed to her final peace…. that peace of which her ascending Lark encompasses …
    She will be with you in the touch of yarn, the pleasure of colour, the joy of family and of nature. And especially in music, Melissa. Never far away…
    Thank you for sharing such a special lady with us. Love and sympathy to you all … Ali F.

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  23. Anissa Ljanta Avatar
    Anissa Ljanta

    so sorry for your loss Melissa. glad you got some good times in the sunshine with family and friends farewelling your grandmother. times like those are precious in their realness and rawness

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  24. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you dear anissa, and i completely agree with you – moments like this in life are quite rare.
    XX

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  25. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    Hi Ali,
    Thank you for your kind message. Such thoughtful words! Yes, she was a special person with a sreal spark for life and Im so lucky to have had her in my life for so long.
    Melissa XX

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  26. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you susan! your grandma sounds amazing and im sure has left you with a lot of inspiration. XX

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  27. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you candyce – and yes, that is a really beautiful version!

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  28. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you karen!
    m

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  29. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you j!
    xx

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  30. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you Ruth!

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  31. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi emily, thank you for your message and thats so lovely that the lark was greatly loved by your family too. it really is a very special and calming piece. XX

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  32. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you meg! XX

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  33. Mary Gordon Avatar
    Mary Gordon

    So sorry to read this sad news, what a legacy x

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  34. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you mary!
    xx

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  35. Elsa Avatar
    Elsa

    I`m so sorry for your loss. Your grandmother created and left a wonderful legacy.

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  36. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thank you elsa, XX

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  37. Joanna Livingston Avatar
    Joanna Livingston

    Oh Melissa, I am so saddened to hear of your loss! You have written beautiful, loving words here, which I’m sure was not easy to do. My love with you and your family xxx

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