Grandmother cherishes ‘magical’ reunion after the pain of lockdown
A grandmother who lives alone has spoken of the heartwarming moment she was reunited with her family after what she described as “a lifetime” apart.
Liz Fisher, from Learmonth Terrace in Edinburgh, was separated from her five grandchildren and three children after the country went into lockdown on 23 March.
As restrictions were eased yesterday, the 74-year-old has been able to meet up with her eight-year-old grandson Rory and his parents Roddy and Sarah Fisher.
Speaking to The Scotsman moments after reuniting with her family in a communal garden near her home, Mrs Fisher described the day as “magical”.
“It’s just been lovely,” she said. “I think the best way to describe the feeling is magical.
“I am so lucky to see Rory. I just can’t believe how tall he is. I don’t know what he’s been eating, but he’s grown like mushrooms. I can’t believe the difference in two months.”
While the reunion was much anticipated, Mrs Fisher said it was difficult not being able to hold her grandson who was having to keep at a 2m distance at all times.
“I still can’t hug him and believe me that is the hard part because I just want to grab him and cuddle him,” she said. “As soon hugging is allowed he’s going to have to wear a suit of armour because I’m going to crush him.”
Rory gave his grandmother one of his favourite soft toys, Snoopy, to keep her company in lockdown.
“I live on my own and I know he was worried about that, so he gave me Snoopy to hug every time I felt the urge to cuddle one of my grandchildren,” Mrs Fisher said. “He has been very generous and given a couple of his teddies to two of my friends who have also been living on their own all this time.
“One of them doesn’t have any family, so it’s been particularly nice for her.”
Mrs Fisher, who has four other grandchildren – Jennifer, 24, Jamie, 18, Oscar, 15, and Katie, 13. “It’s been so painful being apart from them, it’s honestly felt like a lifetime,” she said.