Posted by Naomi Finch at 21/08/2012 14:17:21
Ever since I can remember my granddad has played a huge part in my life. As a 4 year old child he was the one who took me to the park, held my hand tightly as I walked along the wall like a gymnast and bought me a wagon wheel and a panda pop in the local cafe. Now, 40 years later I get to repay his love and devotion with my love and devotion. I take him to the park for some fresh air, help him walk along the pavement and treat him to a cup of tea and a bun.
I do have an uncle who is involved however he lives 75 miles away so is not on hand like me, he is retired himself and comes to see his dad when he can.
I’m not going to lie; it has been a very challenging time, especially as I have a severely disabled 10 year old daughter and a full time career. However, family comes first, and when gramps says jump, I gladly say how high!
When I took over in my dad’s footsteps I started to realise just how independent and single minded gramps actually is. He knows what he likes and is not one for trying new things, he knows what he wants and will search it out (or expect me to). He has his daily routine and doesn’t like to change it. For example, he likes the marmalade they sell at Aldi, he likes the bread they sell at Tesco and he likes his bacon from the stall in the market. However, knowing gramps the price usually plays a part in his choices. This must sound familiar!
You can imagine my surprise when he told me about something new he had tried and liked. One Saturday I was taking him into his local town to get some shopping, he has gone past the point where he can go by himself, which frustrates him no end, at least if I am with him I know he is safe.
To make the trip a little bit more enjoyable I suggested we have some lunch whilst we were in town. “Good idea,” he said, “I went to a new American cafe the other week with Debbie” (Debbie works for the multi sensory team from social services and visits gramps weekly, often taking him out), “we could go there, I enjoyed it.”
“What new American Café?” I asked, racking my brains to think of a new restaurant or cafe that had opened.
“I can’t remember what it’s called, but I had a lovely cup of tea and a chicken burger.”
“Ah”, I said chuckling to myself, “was it called McDonalds?”
‘Yes, that’s the one. Strange that it’s a Scottish firm selling American food, let’s go there.”
So we broke up our visit to four shops for four items with a burger, fries and a cuppa in Maccy D’s. Classic! I wonder how many others have never heard of or even been in a McDonalds?
