On International Women’s Day I’m remembering all the women in my life who have all, in their own way, shaped who I am today. My strong, courageous Nana, 89, who I only see once a year because she lives 7 hours away, is at the forefront of my mind as she is just out of hospital and moved into a home. She left Burma aged 15 relocating to London with her mum, brother and sister after the sad loss of her father during the war. The courage it must have taken to build a new life in a different country where you’re the only brown girl makes me feel sad and proud of her. She worked as a seamstress then as a nurse and met my grandad who was in the RAF. They had a love story that lasted right up until he passed away age 60 too young. Since then she’s lived independently loving her garden, sewing and painting and she cooks the best curry out there. I’m blessed that my children know her too and love her sense of humour and her spirit. Nana you gave me a love of fairies and make believe as a child, you taught me to scream to the ocean unabashedly to release all my feels, you told me I was beautiful in and out when I was a teen and I thank you. I love you.
Sea change 