grandparents with their great granddaughter baby bob

The last time I visited my grandparents in Dominica was the Christmas before my 16th birthday. Eminem’s ‘Stan’ was topping the charts and my wardrobe was made up of baggy cargo pants and spaghetti tops. Honestly, it didn’t matter what I wore as a large proportion of that last trip was spent on the porch watching humming birds land in nearby plants to feed, or with me, again on the very same wrap around porch, reading.

My grandma wasn’t keen on me going anywhere other than to church, for fear of being corrupted by the boys of the gorgeous village where my family called home. Like she honestly chased a boy away with her broom when he had the audacity to speak to me. Memories….Still, I was on holiday so flex my fashion senses I would.

Since that visit, I’d not seen my grandad and I’d seen my grandma once, maybe 10 or so years ago. It’s bad that I can’t even recall the visit so I can only assume I was at college or uni. Princess was lucky enough to visit Dominica last year with my parents. For me, the trip just seemed always out of my grasp due to the cost. If it wasn’t for the devastating category five hurricane that ripped through Dominica earlier this year, my grandparents wouldn’t be over now and who knows when I’d have next seen them.

photo of baby bob and her grandad taken by circus mums lifestyle and family uk blogger

Hurricane Maria left Dominica with around 90% of buildings facing structural damage. Many had roofs missing. Many more were simply swept away. Now, months after the hurricane, telephone lines, electricity and running water are all still missing for the majority of islanders. That’s why, despite their considerable age, it was vital for my grandparents to move back to the UK, where they’d called home from the 60’s until they retired some 40 years later.

Meeting my grandparents after over 15 years was strange. I haven’t been able to process my emotions yet. In a way, I think that makes it a perfect time to share this, whilst I haven’t put up filters or blinkers! I’d love to say it all fell into place naturally, in the same way I saw it do for Princess, but it didn’t. I was awkward. Shy, whilst trying my hardest not to look that way on the outside. Even though Bob is 7 months old now, I still feel like my body is on a hormonal merry go round and that weekend, my emotions were all over the place.

By night time it had all started to fall in place. We reminisced over moments spent in Dominica in the past. We laughed dover shared memories and my grandma shared nuggets from her past that I’d never heard before.

pyrex dish of sausages breakfast with grandparents and parents photo taken by circus mums lifestyle and family bloggerbreakfast with the family plate of toast

By morning it all made sense. Everything seemed to fit in its place and whatever awkwardness I’d felt the night before had melted. Four generations of women put breakfast together. Well, nearly. I admittedly watched and held the baby, whilst Princess, my mum and her mum prepared a Sunday spread. Food does wonders for bringing people together. That’s why we rely on it so heavily to mark occasions in my home. Whether it be good grades, a celebration or an anniversary or a way of cheering up after an awful day.

Over breakfast we laughed at the greed of 7 month Bob, who constantly grabbed at anything you didn’t move out of her way fast enough. She tried her first baked bean as I moved her too close to my plate at one stage. Her hand was out and across my plate faster than I could say her name. She also ate toast, cucumbers and had a sip of the cocoa my grandma had lovingly prepared.

It was a flying visit and we left soon after breakfast as we had prior arrangements back home. Ii wish I’d spent longer with them, but thankfully they’ll be in the UK for a little while. Their house needs completely rebuilding and will take some time. Time. Seeing them made me realise just how fleeting it can be and how precious. I hope I get to spend a lot more of it with them.

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