Grandma C

Dear Sean,

Today is my grandmother's birthday.

She died when I was 10 years old.

I don't remember much of her..but I have heard enough to know her well.

For starters my grandma's birth mother was Irish.

She was hidden the moment my great grandmother knew she was pregnant.

She decided to hide her entire pregnancy because she was not married, and back then this was a great scandal.

To make matters worse, my grandmothers father was in the army and stationed away.

He was never told anything at all. Absolutely nothing.

By the time he returned to see my great grandmother - my grandmother had been born and given up for adoption.

He eventually found out and was furious. The adoption was sealed so my great grandfather went so far to hire detectives to find his daughter.

By the time he found her - she was adopted and happy.

So he let her go.

I know my grandma was a ballet dancer and a wonderful piano player.

Just like me!

She also was a genealogist and could trace back thousands of years.

Somewhere along the line - the King of Wales had a mistress. Together they had a secret child - and that is where my family comes into the picture of Royalty.

We were also apparently responsible for making the King sign something called the Magna Carta.

The rest of what I know about my grandmother is quite dark.

She suffered from many mental health conditions.

During my mothers childhood she tried to take her life multiple times.

She was always in the hospital and locked away in a mental asylum.

My mother never really had a stable mother.

And it breaks my heart.

She has told me so many stories.

My grandfather too had quite the life.

He had to have his legs removed..

One day someone called asking for my grandmother.

My grandfather was in the basement and replied:

"I'm sorry it's going to take me a while - I have to put on my legs."

But in the end I give both my grandparents so much respect.

I admire them because they lived through such dark times.

Dark times I don't think I'd ever be able to live through.

It makes me want to live on for them .

To be the best I can be.

I hope you are safe.

I hope you are well.

I love you so much.

Your girl on earth

Kathryn