Last Day in Canada

Taken during Canadian Thanksgiving 2013, it was my last day in Canada with my family before I left and immigrated to the United Kingdom to be with my Fiancé and start our new life together. This photo is of my Grandmother, my friend, my mother, everything I needed growing up that I didn't have at home or at school, my Grandma was everything to me and still is. She put up with hardships, loss of both her husband at a young age and her oldest son at 19. She put up with family scrutiny and lies. Such a wonderful woman, kind enough to let a stranger stay for a meal, to pick me up when she had no time at all to do so, she always made time. Went to work 5 days a week 5am - 6pm for 50+ years. Even after retiring she never rested, always finding work to do for her neighbours, children and Grandchildren. She battled Cancer twice and won, she watched her son battle with depression and loss of normalcy, watched her oldest granddaughter struggle with everyday life due to health problems and mental illness. She never judged, she was ever supportive of her friends and family. On this day, the day that I had to leave for England, I watched her laugh, laugh like she used to when I was little and would say silly things that made no sense to me but perfect sense to her. She laughed so hard she cried for 2 minutes and even let me get this shot of her mid smile, wiping her tears of laughter away. It gave me great solace knowing that she would still be able to be this happy after I'd left the country, that my nieces would continue to bring her that same joy I used to as a child. This is for my Grandmother, the strongest, kindest and gentlest woman I have ever known, and aspire to be.
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