Olga Newey

Olga, I’m so sorry it’s taken me this long to write a tribute to you, even two years on I cannot find the words to share how much I loved you, how much I thought of you and truly how much I regret not staying in contact.

I grew up a few doors down from you, where you so kindly took me in as your own, a granddaughter you never had you used to say. I’d never really had a proper nan, you knew that; so having you meant the absolute world to me.

You were there whenever I needed a chat, I like to think we both enjoyed those chats together, I knew we saw the world the same way, I miss those afternoon chats in your living room, discussing everything from politics to your childhood, your love of the theatre and broadway. You really were a light in my darkness many the time when I had nowhere else to turn to.

To say I loved you, wouldn’t justify the volumes of love I had for you, serious. It wouldn’t. I wish I’d stayed in contact more but truth be told, I moved away and fell in love and life got the better of me, it’s no excuse, you gave me all the time and love in the world and I should have ensured I treated you the same.

I lost my father the same year you passed, he passed in July, you in August, two of the most key people in my childhood and life gone in the same year, but I know how fond you were of my father, so I like to imagine you’re both up there together, having a tiny tipple or two.

I wanted to reach out to Sue, she was always good to me, I didn’t know how, I walked past your house last weekend to visit my sister and I saw new people living in it, it was surreal, how I’d give anything to walk back up your drive, ring that doorbell longer than anyone else (it’s how you knew it was me) and see your smiley face greeting me with open arms.

I love you Olga, I truly do, I truly truly truly miss you and it’s almost 1am in the morning as I write this and I shed a tear in your memory.

Thank you for your kindness, your compassion, your life lessons and your whimsical stories; for those are some of the reason today I am the woman that I am.

All my love, forever.
Lucie x