Nana

I can only remember one comment my relatives made. I can quote as if it were yesterday. An old spinster Aunt lived with us for many years, whom I called 'Nana' and when dressed in my Sunday Best she often said, "My. What a smart wee man." I think you can imagine how tha t went down!

When my mother was born in 1915, her own mother died, as a result of the birth. There was a young Nurse in attendance, so when the mother died, she knew a single father would not manage a new born baby. This was a late night in January, bitterly cold, so she wrapped the baby in a shawl and carried it to where she lived, with her own parents, only a few doors away. Her parents agreed to look after the babies immediate needs. This couple were around sixty years of age, with seven grown up children of their own. Eventually, at the behest of the nursing daughter and her younger brother, this couple legally adopted the baby; my mother. This Nurse, Mary Robson, lost her own boyfriend at the Battle of the Somme during the Great War and she never married. When most other members of her family had passed away she came to live with my parents, becoming my Nana. She remained a community Nurse in our town until she was 72 years of age! No more than five feet tall she was renowned as "the Little Nurse" When she retired every miner (this was a prominently coal mining community) at the local colliery agreed to have six pence deducted from his wage packet towards a retirement gift.

To me she was a Grandmother figure, whom I loved dearly, and of course, she treasured the two children my mother brought into the world and spoilt us a great deal. Interestingly I had "strawberry blonde" hair, which Nana said should be allowed to grow and then put into ringlets! (As little boys once had been) Now that would have been just dandy with my short trousers!!! She passed away aged 92.

I'm sure she commented about my clothing on other occasions. I have no doubt she commented when she first saw me in my new Secondary Modern Uniform and when I finally got long trousrs after turning 15. She must have commented on both these occasions, but I cannot honestly remember what exactly.