Perspective

Nanna is a true matriarch to our family.  In the long term, she has been a woman that has taught us that a little bit of hard work, and  ‘back bone’ can break undesirable family cycles that plague our society. Her encouragement has seen her children and grandchildren gain trades, purchase businesses and properties, and work towards university degrees. Recently though, she has taught me to put things into perspective and allowed me to ask what the difference is between petty and important.

If I complain about my hair not growing quick enough, I remember that Nanna wont grow hers again. I complain about sore legs from the treadmill. Nanna can't get up out of bed. I complain there's nothing good on tv.. Nanna hasn't the energy to watch her favourite program. My Nanna B has been knowingly fighting lung cancer for 14 months.

Every day you hear or see someone whinging about trivial things, but we accept them as apt and relate to those people because we to do the same.  It’s our nature right?  The mere feeling of disappointment in our daily routines is essentially what drives us to seek bigger and better ‘things’. Don’t like your coffee?  You try a new brand or visit a new café, don’t appreciate the smirk the cashier gives you when you purchase your latest gimmick aimed at weight loss?  Try a new supermarket. Don’t like your job? Seek and ye shall find… (or some such other rubbish.)

On a larger scale this equates to the notion that we are perpetually engaged in psychological development for life.  Our bodies might stop growing, but our minds do not. At every stage we learn, grow and develop.

So what have I learned in my 31^st year?  People can change, albeit slowly. Others teach you so much by doing little other than living their own lives.  That one person can have an impact on whole families and groups of friends that is so strong they inflict a wave of change in people – even if they don’t know it.  The actions, self education and sacrifices of one person can change the dynamics of a whole family, allow people to believe that can achieve more and expect more from life.

Last night Nanna needed to have her family by her side, but she couldn’t ask. She has always been the woman who asks for little for herself, and in some respects, has gotten even less back.  Within an hour her bedside was attended by kids, grandkids and her partner to show her she’s not alone – and it’s testament to the fact that she did teach us well. She taught us the word ‘family’.

We love you Nanna B x