Earlier today my paternal grandmother, Ruth Bertha Anning Hardy, took her final breath and joined my grandpa in heaven. She would have been 97 years young in June.

My grandmum was born in England, UK, in 1922. She and my grandpa, Edwyn “John”, also from the UK, raised 6 children, one being my father, Christopher. They moved to the US when my father was very young and lived in Vienna, VA for the greater part of their lives. At that time it was not hard to receive dual citizenship as both a UK and US citizen, and so she remained loyal to the Queen until her death. We all admired her love of country and everyone who knew her called her, “Mum” (as in, the “Queen Mum”).

Grandmum was the matriarch of the family. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was constantly adding up the numbers, giving that surprised look when she totaled it out and finally looking proud when she realized what a tribe she had created. At her death in 2019, grandmum’s family (including in-laws) consisted of 12 children, 18 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Family reunions had gotten pretty grand!

On February 2, 2011, I took grandmum to see, “The King’s Speech,” in theaters. I don’t remember what prompted the idea or the invitation, but she and I went to an afternoon showing and sat towards the front so she could see it all. At the end of the movie we sat in the theater until they asked us to leave – probably 20-30 minutes. She was just beaming. Her memories of the war and her actions – she explained that she didn’t want to miss out on all the action so she volunteered anywhere they would take her. She was there for all of this movie, it wasn’t JUST a production to her. She remembered hearing the speech. She was 17. I remember her telling me the stories of her friends, how it changed her, how she felt. I remember she talked about it the whole way back to her house. I will forever hold that day in a special place.

Grandmum had a love for football (Redskins!!), swimming, crossword puzzles and the beach. She was stubborn in a good way and strong-willed and tough. She called me, “Miss Britt,” and I can just remember feeling like she was the most fun person on the planet. She used to pick me up from school in her little MG when I felt “sick”. She would make me a sandwich and we would watch soap operas until my parents could come get me.

Every year for as long as I can remember the entire Hardy clan would gather at Litchfield Beach for the most wonderful week of family beach time. Grandmum could literally sit out at the beach from sun up to sun down. As she aged the beach began to slip quietly away – she just couldn’t sit for the drive anymore. Slowly the family beach trips became single-family beach trips and everyone moved around and the grandchildren started getting married and suddenly they were just over.

We visited her last in October 2018. At that time she was struggling with her memory and kind of a “shell” of who she used to be, and it was at that time when I privately grieved the loss of my grandmum. My children were able to meet her before her passing and HM remembers her house when I show her pictures. I am so very thankful for that time.

Grandmum’s passing brings an element of “growing up” I am forced to face, like I have lost a large piece of my childhood. I will grieve for the memories, but I will hold her sense of humor, steadfast love and kindness with me always.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30