It must have been five years ago, at least. that I came across an old photo of my Grandma Boyd. Although it was taken way before my time – we think, on her first day at grammar school, because why else would you take a photo of a smiling young woman in a school uniform standing at the back door by the rain barrel – it’s my favourite photo of her. There’s something about it that’s all her. The things that I see in this photo are the things I trreasured in my Grandma: but here they re, way before me. This photo reminds me that she was full of hope and love and seeing the best in everything and everyone her whole life through.

More recently, I found a couple of photos of my other Grandma with my Granda: one of them on their wedding day, one of the two of them sitting on a garden wall. They were a close couple, working together for most of their married lives, and they were generous and kind always. These photos reminded me of what a handsome pair they made. Shopping with my Mum a couple of weeks ago, I chose a frame to put the photos in.

It wasn’t until I put the frame on the windowsill, next to my other Grandma, that I realised that, 5 years and 350 miles apart, I’d chosen the same frame.

I’m not sure what that says/means, but I’m rather pleased.