Poging GOUD - Vrij
Granny's -great encore!
The Australian Women's Weekly
|XMAS 2022
With the encouragement of her granddaughter, Helena Blanch relives her heyday and steps into the spotlight once more in a story written exclusively for The Weekly by best-selling novelist
The room was darkening as the woman moved across the carpet of woven faded roses to switch on the lamp. It was quiet save for distant cars which didn’t bother her as her hearing wasn’t as good as it had been. She considered her fading eyesight and compromised small hearing difficulties were to be expected at her age. At least, she reminded herself, she had all her marbles. Faculties, as Dr Lord corrected her each time he saw her.
But she kept the light in her bedroom softly dim and rarely turned on the bright mirror light in the bathroom. The reflection that greeted her was someone she didn’t recognise; a shell of the vibrant woman who spoke her mind, laughed loudly, tackled the impossible and loved fiercely. The woman in the mirror had to struggle to assert herself. It wasn’t that she was incapable of speaking her mind as she always had, but now no one paid attention, or simply nodded, half listening.
It didn’t matter what she said. It was greeted with an indulgent smile, a vague nod. Once, conversationally, she commented to the girl cleaning her kitchen, “I shot my grandfather, you know.”
The girl was scrubbing furiously. “That’s nice.” Her family visited and called regularly. But the day-to-day passing of the hours lagged. She cooked simple meals for herself, read books, listened to the radio and pottered among her terrace pot plants and herbs. She walked the dog, sometimes catching sight of herself in a shop window, and hastily squared her shoulders, straightening her back.
She was uncomfortable journeying forth with women’s groups, retiree associations and neighbours who tended to bore her. No one had anything much to say that she hadn’t heard before or found plain silly or ill-informed.
Dit verhaal komt uit de XMAS 2022-editie van The Australian Women's Weekly.
Abonneer u op Magzter GOLD voor toegang tot duizenden zorgvuldig samengestelde premiumverhalen en meer dan 9000 tijdschriften en kranten.
Bent u al abonnee? Aanmelden
MEER VERHALEN VAN The Australian Women's Weekly
The Australian Women's Weekly
Kicking new goals
Wrapping up a landmark year that included being inducted into the Football Hall of Fame, Erin Phillips and her family are ready for the love and laughter of Christmas.
3 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
MALALA YOUSAFZAI The long journey home
At 15, she was shot by the Taliban, at 17 she won the Nobel Peace Prize, at 22, she faced her inner demons, and now at 28, Malala Yousafzai bares her soul.
10 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
The Christmas connection
Christmas isn't just about presents under the tree. It's about presence slowing down, reaching out and rediscovering people and pastimes that bring joy. Here's how to put connection back at the heart of the holidays.
4 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
A ray of hope
More kids than ever are beating cancer, but the effects of the treatment can last a lifetime. The Weekly meets the D'Monte family who have been part of a very special program, helping to ensure these little battlers might one day have children of their own.
9 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
JOHN CLEESE The day I met the real Basil Fawlty
Before Fawlty Towers was born, John Cleese and the Monty Python crew spent a few very odd days in a hotel that was overseen by an eccentric real-life Basil Fawlty. John Cleese shares some of the funniest memories in this exclusive extract from his new book, Fawlty Towers: Fawlts & All, My Favourite Moments.
5 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
Help for the heroes
While Christmas is a day of celebration, it can be tough for veterans and their families. Luckily, Lisa and Phil Carter found a service which has seen them through the darkest times.
2 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
The enduring legacy of JANE AUSTEN
December 16 marks Jane Austen's 250th birthday, and from her onetime home of Bath to our own Blue Mountains, “Janeites” are celebrating. The Weekly joins in the Regency revelry and explores the much-loved author's legacy.
9 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
King Island's new season of hope
This Christmas, the people of remote King Island will celebrate an unexpected gift – the saving of their beloved dairy, and with it, the heart of their community.
7 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
'I spend Christmas with elephants'
When it comes time to celebrate, there's nowhere Luke Reavley, General Manager of Australia Zoo, would rather be than with the animals he counts as part of his family.
5 mins
Christmas 2025
The Australian Women's Weekly
Putting on the glitz!
It's the sparkliest dance troupe in town! The Star Performers & Twinkle Stars Dance Studio is a place where friendships are forged, ability is nurtured and the annual concert is the happiest day of the year.
6 mins
Christmas 2025
Translate
Change font size

