MELANIE
My only memory was of watching Grandpa race Dominic around the house. I couldn’t run as fast, so stopped to watch them. And then mum came out of the house and shouted at Grandpa because I’d been standing in an ants nest, watching them run and was covered in ants! He laughed and helped her rub them off me with a dish cloth. I was absolutely fine, I don’t think I’d noticed they were on me.
And the Christmas I got a ballerina Barbie and a tutu and just dancing in the garden in Linstead thinking “this is amazing!” And he said “Who knew that Santa knew you so well.” I stopped and thought how lucky I was that Santa knew I was in Jamaica for Christmas. Now I don’t know if this is made up or a true story. I also remember getting a note book and he wrote my name in the front - I still have it today.
I remember playing hangman with Dom and he was getting really annoyed because I kept choosing two letter words. Grandpa laughed and told Dom that he needed to stop and think and not get angry.
He had that sort of presence - just like chuckling and telling people to calm down... Sort of happy, chilled.