I’d like to share with you my fondest memories of my Nana.

From as young as I can remember, which I guess would be about the age of 5 or 6, Friday nights were special. Friday nights were Nana nights. My father and I would arrive at Nana’s, find a park and then I’d run down the side entrance to the security door and press number 10. Through the intercom would come that familiar “Who?” that in hindsight sounded like a wise old owl. I would say “Its me, Darren” and again would come the call of the wise old owl “Who?” “Darren” I’d insist. Then Nana would say “Ohhh, my beautiful Darren” and would press the buzzer to open the door. Up those long flights of stairs I’d hurry and when I arrived at Nana’s front door it would swing open and I’d be swept up into a huge, everlasting Nana hug. Then she would release me but still hold both my hands in hers, step back just far enough to look me up and down. I will always remember the way she would look at me with so much love. Her big brown eyes would well up with tears of joy before pulling me in for another Nana hug. This way of being greeted by my Nana was customary right through until the very last time I saw her which was at Adir and Rev’s wedding.

As most of you would know I moved to Sydney when I was only 13 and one of my greatest losses was Friday nights at Nana’s. Every Friday night after I moved away I would think about Nana and those Nana hugs. I would always make sure I visited Nana when I would come to Melbourne, even if it wasn’t Friday night.

Of course any of you who did attend Friday nights at Nana’s would know it wasn’t just about the hugs. I’m certain that when people talk about Nana’s cooking being the best ever they are referring to my Nana. Who can forget those Gefillte Fish, the Chicken Soup or the Roast Chicken and Baked Potatoes. Naturally I’ve had all these things at other places but there was something special about them on a Friday night at Nana’s. I’d like to think its because family was so important and special to her that she put so much love into every Friday night meal with her family. Each one of us had our own candle burning brightly as part of the centre piece on the dinning table because to Nana we were all the brightest and most important people in her life.

Memories keep coming back to that delicious food. I can still remember sneaking into the kitchen with my father after dinner and picking the crispy bits of chicken and potato out of the baking tray. Another unique Nana culinary delight was the birthday cakes she’d make for me. Somehow she would combine biscuits, Akti-Vite and those edible silver ball things into the yummiest birthday cakes.

Another of my cherished memories of Nana would be the times I stayed over night at her place. These were the times for special one on one time with Nana. She would tell me stories, take me for walks to Ackland Street to feed the pigeons as well as play games with me like Scrabble and Chess. Of course Nana would always help me and ensure that I’d win. That was just Nana’s way. She would show me the result of my ill fated chess move and then give me the option to take it back and try again. The glint in her eye as I made a better move showed how proud of me she was and made those games so special.

There are so many more memories I have of Nana but these are my fondest. Nana you are gone but you will never be forgotten. I love you.

Darren