Hilda placed my gift down on the side and sipped her tea before thanking me.
" That's lovely Graham, thank you very much"
Next door Georgia held it up to her good eye.
" What is it ? "
" It's a ..." A glance towards me for help, " I think it's African ? It's a traditional design I think...? "
" That's right Auntie Hilda, it's from the Gabon "
She composed herself and appraised it afresh, pulling her pointy chin back into her turkey neck. I almost told her then that I'd decorated with a colour coded map of cancer deaths across the globe but highlighting those in Ireland, her place of birth. But I didn't, I think the spirit of Christmas must've got to me.
" You're a lovely artist Graham, you should go to college, you really should "
" Thanks Auntie Hilda "
" That's lovely Graham, thank you very much"
Next door Georgia held it up to her good eye.
" What is it ? "
" It's a ..." A glance towards me for help, " I think it's African ? It's a traditional design I think...? "
" That's right Auntie Hilda, it's from the Gabon "
She composed herself and appraised it afresh, pulling her pointy chin back into her turkey neck. I almost told her then that I'd decorated with a colour coded map of cancer deaths across the globe but highlighting those in Ireland, her place of birth. But I didn't, I think the spirit of Christmas must've got to me.
" You're a lovely artist Graham, you should go to college, you really should "
" Thanks Auntie Hilda "
