‘Hi, Nana. What’s for lunch?’ 

Bella and Oliver have arrived. Their voices are full of excitement as they echo from the front door. I love the way the quietness has been shattered. 

My answer today is, ‘Just cabbage soup, your favourite. What were you expecting, McDonalds or Pizza?’ It is amazing how you can read children’s minds and give them a different idea of what is expected.

We all sit around the dining table and I serve lunch, hoping they appreciate what’s put in front of them and there will not be any hard feelings. It is not cabbage soup, but all their favourite foods which I have come to know over the years.

Over lunch, the youngest grandchild Oliver asks, ‘Why did Pop need to move on?’ 

I answer, ‘He needed to go to a better place. Some people are ready at different times to make the move.’ 

Bella, the eldest, asks, ‘Didn’t he like us?’ 

‘It’s not about who you like or dislike,’ I say. ‘It had nothing to do with his choice.’ 

No one seems to realise that I am the person who misses him the most.

Once they have devoured their lunch with unbelievable appetites, Oliver says, ‘Your cooking is much better then Mummy’s.’

 ‘That’s not true,’ I say. ‘Who do you think taught your Mummy to cook?’ Typical little Munchkins, sharing what’s going through their minds and stating their opinions. 

 ‘Why did Pop need to move on and you’re still here?’ 

 ‘Don’t you want me here?’ I ask, but I’m thinking, who would be feeding you now, if I wasn’t here? Their meaning is innocent. I am glad they can talk about Pop missing from our lunch table, because his presence is still hovering everywhere.

After a lovely afternoon spent playing scrabble and checkers, my Munchkins decide to depart from Blue Bay and head home to Gosford. I am left trying to unscramble the depth of their conversation. 

My Munchkins have gone home for now, but I am sure similar conversations will take place at their own lunch tables in years ahead. They will follow in my footsteps, already displaying very understanding personalities to cope with all that is in store for them.