Granddad often referred to grandma as Maggie which was a term of endearment. He’s no longer here for me to ask so I came up with the list above to try and capture the meaning behind the name. Having spent all my childhood and most of my teen years with them I believe the words chosen for each letter of 'Maggie' was very much how granddad was thinking of her.

It is ironic that ‘Gentle’ and ‘Giving’ should occupy the centre of this name as these were two of grandma's main characteristics. She was a very gentle person and so she made a perfect nurse whenever we were ill. She was also a very kind and giving person so whenever we had visitors they would always leave with something in their hands and a smile on their face. If anyone came to visit and had a lot on their mind, they would leave after a snack and a chat, feeling much better than when they came (that was a special gift she had where her words were always comforting).

We had plenty of fruit trees and so, granny would walk and talk with you, heading towards the tree of whichever fruit was in season.  And before you knew it! There would be sounds of laughter coming towards the house.  After the visitors were gone, she would often start to hum a song and soon there would be a 'praise and worship' team in our yard (made up of grandma and all the grandchildren) with an audience of one – my granddad. That was probably due to the fact that grandma was part of the choir and often used phrases from songs in discussions and so the tune would linger on. Once we recognised the tune we would all join in.

The choruses below were some of grandma’s favourite. She sung them with such conviction that it often felt like we were in church, listening to a sermon being delivered. Now that I am grown, I understand that those songs were personal testimonies that she was delivering. Often, we would join in with her and we would dance in a circle or just sit on the veranda clapping and stomping away.

If you know these songs I hope you won't refuse the urge to give a nod of the head and a shake of the leg.

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