65 Years

This is a piece I drew in the memory of my maternal grandparents who both passed away during the latter half of 2013. This picture is of them during their younger days.

My grandfather Albert Massey was a teacher and professor who loved the English language and literature. Even when he got dementia and lost many of his memories; he would still recite poetry to us. He was a mild mannered man compared to my my grandmother: Irene Massey who was the matriarch of our family. She was a strong woman who won a silver medal during the Delhi Olympics in 1937 (for javelin). She also had a lion cub when she was growing up which is why I included it with her in the picture.

They had long eventful lives starting in India and Pakistan before they moved to London (permanently) in 1968 with their four children (in the middle of wintery February! freezing!). Of course, their children are no longer children and I am their 27 year old granddaughter.

My grandmother passed away first (august 2013). Tragically, this was ONE month away from their 65th wedding anniversary. So we didn't get a congratulatory certificate from the queen but a 'sorry for your loss' letter from the queen instead (which my grandfather was nevertheless proud of). A little over two months later; he fell at home and we could not get him up. He went into hospital that night with me and my aunt and he died the next day.

The family all miss you. Thanks for everything. Love you my nana and nani.