Hannah Bambra and her grandfather, whom she calls Pa, share a special bond that transcends material wealth. As Pa nears the end of his life at nearly 97, Bambra reflects on the immeasurable joy and connection they have shared over the years.
A Life of Love and Playfulness
Pa grew up working class in northern England and went on to have a spectacular career, life, and family. He is described as cheeky, playful, and warm. Bambra credits him with teaching her how to joke, negotiate, and heckle. His warmth, she says, is his immeasurable wealth.
Unlike many of her friends who inherited money from grandparents but felt distant from them, Bambra's grandfather has always lived closely with family. Their relationship is part of the everyday fabric of their lives across generations.
Shared Memories and Traditions
Bambra recalls a conspiratorial bond with Pa, such as sneaking into a parade or festival when she was little because neither could be bothered walking to the gate. She treasures the memory of him reading his life story aloud in a garden of flowers he planted. She typed up sections, and her mother's cousin finished the book, which every family member now has a copy of. Pa dedicated it to his wife, calling her "my wings and my copilot."
Before age 21, Pa learned to polish wood to escape wartime famine. Last year, he helped Bambra and her partner restore a 1950s cabinet she found on the side of the road. A photo of him cutting a pink ribbon off the finished cabinet sits framed beside his bed in his retirement home, which is close by so Bambra visits regularly.
Blessings and Keepsakes
This year, Pa cupped Bambra's partner's face and gave his blessings for their engagement. He often speaks of his enduring love for his late wife. Pa has hand-stitched tapestries for each of their walls and couches, and Bambra plans to hang his artwork in her future nursery.
A friend once remarked that while people often discuss intergenerational trauma, they rarely speak of intergenerational joy. Bambra agrees, noting that Pa has passed on decades of knowledge, keepsakes, and milestones. As she prepares to hold his soft fingers for perhaps the last time, she feels profoundly grateful. "His warmth is his immeasurable wealth. And in the light of his dying smiles, I feel like the wealthiest girl in the world," she writes.
