Finding my Voice
How an ending became a beginning; a tribute to my Grandma.
Over the years, I was told many times that my voice was soothing, calming, and clear. After creating this word cloud from feedback, many more layers seemed to appear!
Hint: the biggest words are the most common descriptions of my voice, based on research between 2021-2022 (Click on the graphic to take a closer look).
Why now?
I actually always wanted to be a narrator but, at 18yrs old having left home early, I could never afford the equipment. So, I parked this dream for a rainy day. That never stopped me from actually doing it though… I’ve always loved to read aloud!
As a middle school pupil (aged around 8), I was asked to sit in the teacher’s seat to read aloud to my fellow schoolmates. They sat on the rug and listened attentively, whilst allowing our teacher to potter around the room!
Of course, I discovered that reading helps to learn new things – but reading aloud even more so. For example, it helped me to understand and give context to Shakespeare; a notoriously difficult read for some.
A few years on, I was selected as the school’s play narrator – several years in a row. Outside of school and higher education, I also read both children’s stories and adult books to whoever would listen. Careful to use character voices and a splash of ‘colour’ to suit the topic, I focussed on how to bring the characters to life, and to fully convey the era, the mood and location.
In recent years, I enjoyed recording chapters of a meditation book on a group chat which, according to my friends, helped them to fall asleep… Zzz…
Reading was something my intelligent, open minded and quick witted Grandma loved to do. Over the years, she completed a myriad of crosswords; always encouraging us to try them ourselves. She and our Grandad were amazing at quizzes!
She read countless poems, and shared news articles, Readers’ Digest’s stories along with the occasional funny or scientific tidbit. She loved to share information, entertainment and learning with others. Perhaps I’ve taken after her in this way.
My Grandma passed away in August 2021.
We were heart broken.
This moment was life changing for all of us.
Grandma had always wanted to become a rambler when she retired; the walking kind, not the talking kind. We’re already a whole family of ramblers in that department!
Sadly, Grandma began to suffer with what was later diagnosed as an autoimmune disease called rheumatoid arthritis, before she could ever enjoy being part of a rambler’s club.
This meant she was never able to physically extend herself without ending up in agony. This was in huge contrast to the active woman she previously once was – who loved gardening, played tennis whilst living in Africa, took care of three daughters – and helped manage the daily running of a post office!
When I was asked to choose a poem to read as a eulogy for Grandma’s funeral, something didn’t feel right. I didn’t want to read a poem about someone else’s Grandma. By writing and reading a eulogy poem for my Grandma, I reflected on everything she’d ever taught me, and how I should re-evaluate what I was doing in this life.
She once advised me to ‘never delay’ in doing what I wanted to do. She had waited and inadvertently missed out. She didn’t want me to do the same. As this moment of life and loss unfolded, so did a reminder of this valuable lesson, which proved to be a catalyst in pursuing my true calling.
This is where an ending became a beginning
