There was only one thing left for us to do before leaving Sydney – and that was to find Grandma and Grandpa Chair in Manly. David’s Mums Parents who loved and visited Manly many times over their marriage life, and who was in that very spot when they were either engaged or maybe when Grandpa proposed to Grandma. {we still hope to find out the story behind their engagement}
The Memorial Chair
David’s Mum’s brothers and sisters organised a Chair in their memory, in the one place they both loved. Grandpa was the most amazing man who I have ever meet, I didn’t really get to meet and know Grandma before she passed away but I have heard so many great wonderful stories. It was the grandparents that David used to make the time to stop and chat to before or after work. It was the Grandparents that everyone loved, everyone turned to them both for advice and share a cuppa. They were the glue that kept the family together.
And David’s Grandpa was the person who walked me down the isle when I got married to David {over 19 years ago}, who gave me some great marriage advice, who took me in when I had no where to, the man that looked at life with a great attitude – he walked everyday for hours no matter what right up to the time he couldn’t.
His motto was “Use It Or Lose It” and I loved taking on that attitude.
He was gentle, kind with smiley eyes, and he loved on our three older sons – unfortunately he didn’t get to meet our younger two sons. Our second son has his name as his middle name.
Manly was his favorite place to be, he walked for hours along the beach fronts, catching a train to Sydney and a Ferry from Circular Quay many weekends. His loss of eyesight was the only thing that stopped his long walks, he was still walking in his 90’s until that very moment.
We went to Manly before to look for the chair, and would you believe we gave up just before taking a set of stairs, the set of stairs that lead us to the very spot of where Grandma and Grandpa Chair was sitting.
The moment still brings tears to my eyes, I was so very close to crying when we found that chair, I can’t explain why it affected me so very much.
Kyle and Cameron never got to meet Grandpa and Grandma but it was their Great Grandparents – David talks about them a lot to keep their memories alive.
Kyle and Cameron sat, and ate Grandpa Favorite Snack….Afternoon Tea Biscuits. We didn’t have a cuppa with us but we still enjoyed his favorite past-time.
It was so very hot that day, and then a Storm came in which is really funny cause Grandpa loved the waves when it got really wild – especially when he was catching the Ferry across from Circular Quay – the rougher the waves the better the ride as far as he was concerned!
We love spotting Love Lockets – this one has two names and a date. I guess its a wedding date?
He was speaking with his second son, who is sitting on another chair. They were special family moments together with our two younger boys listening on. It was such an emotional day, one I am so glad we got to experience.
Now that we found Grandma and Grandpa Chair I can happily leave Sydney, it was the only really important last thing we wanted to do.
And its going to make such a great Xmas pressie for David’s Mum – a Photo of two of her Grandchildren on a Chair that was put there for her Mum and Dad’s memory.
Do You Have A Family Memory Chair?
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road.
I don’t have a Memory Chair to speak of. Well, I do miss the spot where Phoenix always was on the couch if that counts. This was an awesome story and what an incredible moment filled with all of those memories seeing it, Lisa! I love nostalgia like this where you try to try to transport yourself back in time and picture them sitting there. Thank you for sharing this with us and please have a great week!! 🙂
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It was the best moment in time Mike, Sitting there and seeing what his grandparents used to see. The memorial chair is so very special, maybe you could do something like that for Phoenix? Have a memorial dedication gesture made up, in his favorite place, so that you can go there to reflect back on all of the good times you both had together.
His special chair sounds perfect for remembering. Sending you lots of healing love Mike, if I could hug you I would xxxx
Oh my that is very special, such a lovely notion. I think that this is something my sisters and I should think about for our parents. Maybe not a chair but another symbolic gesture. Just lovely x
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it was such a special moment, standing there where David’s Grandparents had been. I was so very close to tears….and then to find out that his Grandparents either was engaged there or was there shortly after their engagement was extra special.
I never thought about any memorial gesture for those who have left but now that we have seen the chair with their names there for ever more I think its a wonderful idea for family history.
Maybe you could do a Tree with a memorial plaque underneath for your parents? Or something they both loved to do? Just an idea 🙂
Thank you so much – I enjoyed that post. I feel very emotional right now. What a wonderful memorial to someone.
It was a very emotional moment for our family, sitting there looking out over the sea where David’s Parents used to sit. We took a lot of photos that day for memories.