Grandparents can be some of the most important and influential people in our lives. My family is big and Italian, meaning that my Grandmom is the heart of our lives. I was and am one of the fortunate ones with amazing grandparents and I have been lucky enough to live with my paternal grandmother for 15 out of my 22 years. There are so many advantages to living with a grandparent, and I’m sure the list could go on and on forever, but here are my five favorite things about living with my Grandmother.

1. Being Spoiled
   Growing up, there was nothing better than Grandma buying you the toy your parents said no to. Looking back, I am certain that it annoyed my parents and I really didn’t need to add another Barbie to the collection, but being spoiled was more than just being bought things. It was them constantly making sure you were happy and comfortable, making sure you were warm and fed enough. Of course my parents made sure we were clothed and fed and loved, but a Grandmom always takes it that extra step further. My favorite Grandmom line is always “Ashley, I’m afraid you might be hungry “even after she just watched me finish lunch.
2. The Stories
   My Grandma has the most amazing stories. She tells stories about our family, and what it was like growing up as the youngest of 10 siblings, and during the Great Depression. All of us grand kids and great-grand kids would always beg to hear her stories. These stories got us to put our phones and games down for a while and learn and be entertained by our own family’s history
3. The Food
   Living with an Italian grandmother meant, besides being spoiled in general, I was also spoiled with amazing food. Homemade sauce and pizzas galore! Along with having all this good food in the house, I was taught by the best how to cook for myself.
4. A Built-in Friend! After about six years of not living with Grandmom, I am back with her, and it is like having a friend living with you. She runs errands with me, we go shopping, and out for ice cream. Again we’ve cooked together and been having a blast. Even when I was younger, she was always interested in my life and friends, and it was always special and fun to have her included.
5. All the Extra Love
   My parents, of course, gave me enough love. But there is just something about a grandparent's love. Living with my grandmom meant that on top of all the love I got from my parents, I got even more, extra love from her. I got extra excitement when something great happened in my life, and I got extra sympathy when I was sick or sad.

Living with a grandparent is a luxury we don’t all have. Don’t take them for granted. Listen and spend time with yours. Be patient, and let them love and spoil you. They see themselves young again when they see you, so make them proud.