History Retold
The year before I was born my paternal grandmother died. I grew up in the knowledge that I bare a resemblance to her with similar talents and mannerisms. I recall my Dad telling me once that he believed that Ouma and I would have had a good relationship. I believe my Dad is right! My Dad would respond that he is always right, and he is, most of the time! I have always felt a bond with my Ouma and loved her despite never meeting her. She is a constant presence and influence in my life and a part of who I am.
When our Butterfly was born it was immediately apparent to us that she bears a striking resemblance to her paternal grandmother who died the year before she was born. I was struck by this fact early on in my pregnancy and knew even then that she would resemble Alix. Again and again we see Butterfly doing things that reminds us of Alix. At six months Butterfly was crawling about her Grand-père’s house and came across a picture of Alix, she put her little hand on the picture and smiled. Practicality and sensibility dictate that it was a very cute coincident but deep down I know that our child recognised her Grand’Mere and was saying hello. There have been so many other little signs like a song called “Mamy Blue” which Alix would often hum and tap her foot to when she heard it. The Mauritian was feeling sentimental one cold dark winter afternoon and decided to play the song, our little Butterfly stopped what she was doing and stood very still in front of a speaker and listened to the entire song and when it was done asked for it again. Butterfly dances like crazy to The Beatles music, The Beatles was Alix’s favourite band! Whenever I catch the Butterfly helping herself to my jewellery she has taken the box that was once Alix’s and the hardest one to reach. I have watched her take out only the jewellery that was Alix’s and try and put it on. Logic screams at me that it’s all in my head because I want to believe it. The bond I have with my Ouma tells me otherwise. Butterfly has a habit of sucking on her lower lip when she is concentrating, something her Grand’Mere did often. Even the shape of Butterfly’s nails reminds me of my Mother-in-law who I adored. So often I find myself thinking just how Alix would laugh at the antics of the Butterfly, especially when she sneakingly helps herself to her Papa’s beer or Ummy’s glass of wine. In fact, I believe that our Butterfly has inherited her Grand ‘Mere’s taste of red wine.
We recently took our Little Butterfly for a haircut, we said farewell to her long flowing baby locks and hello to a more grown up looking sweetheart with a short but practical haircut. As she grows and develops the striking resemblance to her Grand’Mere fades gently into the individual features that make our Butterfly into who she is. But she will grow up knowing and loving her Grand’Mere just as I grew up to know and love my Ouma because like me, Butterfly is surrounded by people who are blessed and privileged to have been a part of their lives. Like me, my little Butterfly will look in a mirror and see her paternal grandmother smiling back at her and know beyond any logic that her Grand’Mere is with her guiding and loving her, just as my Ouma is here with me as I write this.
When our Butterfly was born it was immediately apparent to us that she bears a striking resemblance to her paternal grandmother who died the year before she was born. I was struck by this fact early on in my pregnancy and knew even then that she would resemble Alix. Again and again we see Butterfly doing things that reminds us of Alix. At six months Butterfly was crawling about her Grand-père’s house and came across a picture of Alix, she put her little hand on the picture and smiled. Practicality and sensibility dictate that it was a very cute coincident but deep down I know that our child recognised her Grand’Mere and was saying hello. There have been so many other little signs like a song called “Mamy Blue” which Alix would often hum and tap her foot to when she heard it. The Mauritian was feeling sentimental one cold dark winter afternoon and decided to play the song, our little Butterfly stopped what she was doing and stood very still in front of a speaker and listened to the entire song and when it was done asked for it again. Butterfly dances like crazy to The Beatles music, The Beatles was Alix’s favourite band! Whenever I catch the Butterfly helping herself to my jewellery she has taken the box that was once Alix’s and the hardest one to reach. I have watched her take out only the jewellery that was Alix’s and try and put it on. Logic screams at me that it’s all in my head because I want to believe it. The bond I have with my Ouma tells me otherwise. Butterfly has a habit of sucking on her lower lip when she is concentrating, something her Grand’Mere did often. Even the shape of Butterfly’s nails reminds me of my Mother-in-law who I adored. So often I find myself thinking just how Alix would laugh at the antics of the Butterfly, especially when she sneakingly helps herself to her Papa’s beer or Ummy’s glass of wine. In fact, I believe that our Butterfly has inherited her Grand ‘Mere’s taste of red wine.
We recently took our Little Butterfly for a haircut, we said farewell to her long flowing baby locks and hello to a more grown up looking sweetheart with a short but practical haircut. As she grows and develops the striking resemblance to her Grand’Mere fades gently into the individual features that make our Butterfly into who she is. But she will grow up knowing and loving her Grand’Mere just as I grew up to know and love my Ouma because like me, Butterfly is surrounded by people who are blessed and privileged to have been a part of their lives. Like me, my little Butterfly will look in a mirror and see her paternal grandmother smiling back at her and know beyond any logic that her Grand’Mere is with her guiding and loving her, just as my Ouma is here with me as I write this.
Comments
Post a Comment