I don’t usually post threads about myself of this nature on this forum et cetera, mainly due to me feeling that my dark burdens are my own to carry. Though I’m happy to say that I don’t have many of those.
Anyway onto the story – As some of you may know the UK has been hit by some storms and floods related to the hot air of the United States and the cold air of Canada pushing against each other causing a jet stream of air trying to even each other out; which thus blasts across the Atlantic stabilizes and thus extreme wind and torrential rain. My Grandmother happens to live by the River mole, she is an 80 year old woman who is fondly titled ‘Nanny Wendy’ but is stubborn as hell. I recall a many a time that she wanted something down from the loft (Attic), so I had gone in the loft only to see her follow me. My response to this is “What are you doing up here Nanny? Father would be livid to know that I let you up with me”, her response “What Dad doesn’t know can’t hurt him”.
Back onto the story - last morning, the eve of Christmas, I received a phone call from my father informing me not to go into Leatherhead (A village/town) due to it being submerged in water. Then further fears that my Grandmother was caught in it. I responded calmly that “I’ll look for her”, found her in Fetcham (Village) outside the florists. Spoke to her, found out that she went into Leatherhead despite its flooding, I laughed off the concerns stating that this is typical “Nanny Wendy antics”. Anyway went back to her house had some tea, ate some biscuits. Observed that her garden was flooded, I said don’t be concerned it doesn’t look like it will rise much, though I did say in both a serious and a jest manner “If anything happens ring me, I’ll be more than glad to move furniture upstairs and organise your evacuation” then I left. I was home for less than 20 minutes and received a phone call, rushed to my grandma’s only to see that her whole road was begging to flood. I entered the house observed the Garden and then started moving valuable furniture upstairs. My heart sank to know that this is happening to my grandma on the eve of Christmas. My Father is the oldest of three brothers and in almost no time My Father and my Brother, one of my uncles and all of his offspring (which is 3 or 4, they are small, so I feel probably shouldn't be counted as separate entities) were there to help move furniture upstairs.
We were an organised cohesive unit focused on taking everything upstairs, that which is too clunky and big to fit through doorways be raised. Whilst this was happening I couldn’t help think that, how proud I was that we were all together helping my grandmother through this. Unfortunately my other Uncle and his offspring couldn’t get through Cobham (a flooded village), so we’ll let him get away with it (Plus he has often provided me with extra University Drinking money – all round decent chap). Though a moment which was particularly irritating was another example of “Nanny Wendy Antics”, we all said in unison “We have done everything we can, it’s time to leave” She responded “No I’ll just move upstairs”, I think all of us had a little heart sink there, my father who is renown in the family for being the stress’y one (I like to think its him being a bit of a Diva) got a little flustered and said “Mum, you’re coming with us now!” and she haggled “I at least have to wait until the water starts coming in, a Captain must go down with its ship”, I responded calmly “This isn’t the Titanic, and with the power gone out it will be hard to put on a suitable violin concerto”. She laughed and moved extremely slowly to the door, as if to punish us.
Anyway she will be spending time with all three Herman households until the storm goes and the house is repaired, and that’s a result of everyone working together. We at this specific time don’t have a lot, but we have more than most. That’s family. Thought I’d mention that in this time of year when I know that many are worse off being flooded and have no family to support them.
Anyway onto the story – As some of you may know the UK has been hit by some storms and floods related to the hot air of the United States and the cold air of Canada pushing against each other causing a jet stream of air trying to even each other out; which thus blasts across the Atlantic stabilizes and thus extreme wind and torrential rain. My Grandmother happens to live by the River mole, she is an 80 year old woman who is fondly titled ‘Nanny Wendy’ but is stubborn as hell. I recall a many a time that she wanted something down from the loft (Attic), so I had gone in the loft only to see her follow me. My response to this is “What are you doing up here Nanny? Father would be livid to know that I let you up with me”, her response “What Dad doesn’t know can’t hurt him”.
Back onto the story - last morning, the eve of Christmas, I received a phone call from my father informing me not to go into Leatherhead (A village/town) due to it being submerged in water. Then further fears that my Grandmother was caught in it. I responded calmly that “I’ll look for her”, found her in Fetcham (Village) outside the florists. Spoke to her, found out that she went into Leatherhead despite its flooding, I laughed off the concerns stating that this is typical “Nanny Wendy antics”. Anyway went back to her house had some tea, ate some biscuits. Observed that her garden was flooded, I said don’t be concerned it doesn’t look like it will rise much, though I did say in both a serious and a jest manner “If anything happens ring me, I’ll be more than glad to move furniture upstairs and organise your evacuation” then I left. I was home for less than 20 minutes and received a phone call, rushed to my grandma’s only to see that her whole road was begging to flood. I entered the house observed the Garden and then started moving valuable furniture upstairs. My heart sank to know that this is happening to my grandma on the eve of Christmas. My Father is the oldest of three brothers and in almost no time My Father and my Brother, one of my uncles and all of his offspring (which is 3 or 4, they are small, so I feel probably shouldn't be counted as separate entities) were there to help move furniture upstairs.
We were an organised cohesive unit focused on taking everything upstairs, that which is too clunky and big to fit through doorways be raised. Whilst this was happening I couldn’t help think that, how proud I was that we were all together helping my grandmother through this. Unfortunately my other Uncle and his offspring couldn’t get through Cobham (a flooded village), so we’ll let him get away with it (Plus he has often provided me with extra University Drinking money – all round decent chap). Though a moment which was particularly irritating was another example of “Nanny Wendy Antics”, we all said in unison “We have done everything we can, it’s time to leave” She responded “No I’ll just move upstairs”, I think all of us had a little heart sink there, my father who is renown in the family for being the stress’y one (I like to think its him being a bit of a Diva) got a little flustered and said “Mum, you’re coming with us now!” and she haggled “I at least have to wait until the water starts coming in, a Captain must go down with its ship”, I responded calmly “This isn’t the Titanic, and with the power gone out it will be hard to put on a suitable violin concerto”. She laughed and moved extremely slowly to the door, as if to punish us.
Anyway she will be spending time with all three Herman households until the storm goes and the house is repaired, and that’s a result of everyone working together. We at this specific time don’t have a lot, but we have more than most. That’s family. Thought I’d mention that in this time of year when I know that many are worse off being flooded and have no family to support them.
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