General Chat

What part did they play & how much influence has that made you what you are today?

Without them I would speak like a deaf person.... both sets of Grandparents were the ones that encouraged us to speak and now I have 2 voices.... the Kent voice for Grandma and the London voice that was for Nan when she was alive!! Tend to mimic people now out of habit and not realise I am doing it, as that's how we were taught as kids! xx

Unfortunately no. My paternal grandfather died long before I was born and my paternal grandmother when I was 8. My maternal grandparents both died when I was a toddler. I really feel I missed out on a lot. That's why I try to spend as much time with my grandsons as I can. Jean x.

My maternal grandmother died when I was 5yrs old, but I have no memories of her. My other grandparents all died before I was born, so they really had no influence on who I am, or none that I can verify. Heather x

My grandparents on my mum's side died when I was young, so I didn't get to spend enough time with them. I did spend quite a lot of time with them when I was really young, so do have some memories but not many. A medium once told me that I felt cheated because I didn't have many years with them and that is true. I keep telling my own kids how lucky they are because they still have 4 grandparents.

Funnily enough, I feel closer to my grandparents now that I have started looking into my family history. Seems to bring them all closer somehow.

Big part of my life taught me values and respect, how to stand up for ones self, and you only get out of life what you put in Lil

My Dad died when I was 10 so my Grampy as I calld him was my father figure. He used to take me for walks in the country and taught me about animals and plants. We also used to go to the library together, we would pick 2 books for each other and both read all 4 books. I think thats where I got my love of nature and thrillers from. He was a brilliant grandfather, I owe so much to him. Thanks Gramp love you. Jackie

My paternal Grandad died when I was 5, in 1961, so I don't have many memories of him, sadly. However, my other three grandparents played a big part in my life I guess. I wear the wedding rings of both my grandmothers, and feel very lucky to be able to do so. x

Yes very much so . My parents divorced whilst I was 8. My father had custody and coped bringing us up on his own for a year but he couldn't hold down his job and be a Mum so he finally gave in and let his parents help...........they were wonderful. Nanna was a Personel Officer for the then GPO she didn't think twice about giving up her job ( she had worked all through dad's childhood - he was a latchkey kid ) Grandpa was in the Met. We lived with them for a wee while ( 2 years ) and then dad thought it would be a good idea if we went to boarding school ( Oh how Nanna and Grandpa cried - to us it was an adventure ) but we spent almost ALL our holidays with them . Grandpa died when I was 13 , Nanna died in 2004 she was like a Mum to me wonderful funny loving grandparents - the best!!

Only knew my Mum's mum, as the rest died before I was born and I didn't see much of her either.

My Grandparent were a huge part of my life, on my Mums side. Mum spent a lot of time in and out of hospital, with bladder and kidney problems as well as problems with her womb. During those times I was 'fostered' to my grandparents. They were the ones who provided me with strict boundaries, structure, stability and order, while being the gentlest of people. I dont' remember ever being shouted at by either of them, but instead was guided away from whatever wrongdoing I had done. They were extremely religious, with Grandpa being a CofE retired clergyman, and Gran being very high church herself. A chapter of the Bible would be read at breakfast every day, meals would be served at the same time every day, and the TV was only ever put on for the news at 6.00pm. At the same time they allowed me the freedom to be a kid, play with my friends and enjoy all the things kids did in those days. I miss them both a great deal.

I only had one set of grandparents and although they died in 1963 and 1968 they influence me to this day. My gran always saw the good in everyone - I'm not that good! I do a 'for and against' with people but I've never hurt anyone and don't intend to. My grandfather taught me to speak English before I went to school and that we will never know everything - we are constantly learning.

My mom's mom and dad meant a lot to me - we lived with them until I was 9 - it was like having 2 sets of parents. They taught me loads of things - to be respectful to my elders and to help people without accepting a reward . far too many things to list. My grandma died when I was 15 but my grandad lived for another 5 years and came to my wedding and I gave him my boquet to put on my grandma's grave. I have so many happy memories and just hope my grandchildren will feel the same way about me - but somehow I do not think they will - as they have so many grandparents - a sign of the times I suppose. God bless you both grandma and grandad . I still miss you all these years later . miss my dad too . God Bless you dad. Mary in Spain xx

my maternal grandparents died long before i was born. as did my paternalgrandfather ,my paternal grandmother died when i was 9yrs old, but i never saw her or knew that i had a grandmother as my father did not speak to his mother so i missed out. hazel.

What about you Lynda, did your grandparents play a big part in your life?

Only knew mums mum on a familiar base. she lived with mum in 1958 when I was preg with our daughter and spent many afternoons talking with her.She died 3 weeks before our daughter was born. Dads mum however was a different kettle of fish!!! She descended on Mum and Dad in the 1960.,s having been cast off by her daughter!! cos she was going doolally!!. She NEVER had a kind word for my mum ,But she came to them as a last resort. My mum .bless her made her welcome & made room for her even tho it wasn't the best time AND when gran got ill she did all she could to make her comfy. Gran eventually had to go into an old people home in Lewisham but dad visited her Every Sunday,&&&& I went with Mum when it was grans birthday. she didnt know who we were but mum was so caring and supportive, I admire my mum for all she did for dads mum even tho she wasn't accepted in the first place

Hi My maternal grandmother was there all through my childhood and saw my first born. She has become even more of a special person since many years after she died we discovered that she had brought up her husbands lovechild as her own.My mum. She helped me with the family tree for many years but never did she tell of her secret. Oh how i wish i could have back just five minutes of time with her and all the questions I have could be answered.

Hi Lynda,I only ever knew my Grandmothers,both my grandfathers died before I was born:-( My maternal grandmother and I were very close, we spent alot of time together,shopping,trips out e.t.c. she came to live with us when she could not look after herself, because we had been so close seeing her so ill and confused was awful, she was always one for a laugh and a great character

Sadly i never knew my grandfather's they both died before i was born, one of my grandmothers died when my mum was 6 so i never knew her also, the other real grandmother died when i was 14. I did have a step grandmother but she was never very nice to my mum so we never saw a lot of her. I used to envy my friends when they said that were going to stay with there nan and granddad. I make sure that my grandchildren have every opportunity to stay with us and i spoil them to bits. Look after your grandparents as they are so special. Val