tiny happy

making journal

about

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

winter view

June 28, 2017

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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Posted in Uncategorized

37 responses to “winter view”

Ella

June 28, 2017

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

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Sally

June 28, 2017

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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sally

June 28, 2017

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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Jo McMahon

June 28, 2017

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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Wendy

June 28, 2017

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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tinyhappy

June 28, 2017

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

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tinyhappy

June 28, 2017

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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tinyhappy

June 28, 2017

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

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tinyhappy

June 28, 2017

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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pip

June 28, 2017

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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tinyhappy

June 28, 2017

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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tinyhappy

June 28, 2017

thank you dear ella, XX

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Karen

June 28, 2017

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

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tinyhappy

June 29, 2017

thank you karen!!
– melissa

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Daffodil Angel

June 29, 2017

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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Meg

June 29, 2017

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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Mousy Brown

June 29, 2017

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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Ruth

June 29, 2017

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

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KarenLR

June 30, 2017

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

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Candyce

June 30, 2017

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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Susan Hemann

June 30, 2017

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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Ali Ferg

July 1, 2017

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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Anissa Ljanta

July 1, 2017

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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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

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

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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

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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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

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

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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

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

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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

thank you karen!
m

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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

thank you j!
xx

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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

thank you Ruth!

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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

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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tinyhappy

July 2, 2017

thank you meg! XX

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Mary Gordon

July 3, 2017

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

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tinyhappy

July 5, 2017

thank you mary!
xx

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Elsa

July 5, 2017

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

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tinyhappy

July 6, 2017

thank you elsa, XX

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Joanna Livingston

July 10, 2017

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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