I was born in Evansville, Indiana, not too far from my grandparents that lived in Anderson, Indiana.
After moving around with my parents and sister, we still made our way up to Indiana as often as we can. Considering it's a 12-hour drive and we don't fly.
I remember I flew one time to Indiana when I was very young and I remember getting a cinnamon bun and it was bigger than my face. I remember only eating part of it so I could save the rest for my grandma, who I call Mamaw. I remember once I got to the airport, I saw my grandparents and I ran through the airport and set off alarms all because I just wanted to get to my grandparents. Oops.
Growing up, I wanted to be just like my grandpa, who I call Papaw. My papaw always wore a long-sleeved plaid shirt and a ball cap. I went out of my way one summer to find all those things so I could look just like him.
My grandparents have a coffee night every Tuesday with their friends and I would add scoop after scoop of sugar and so much cream to sweeten the bitterness of the coffee. It was a big bonding time for me and my grandparents because I was able to hear old stories from their past, or just stories from their daily lives.
Living so far away from my grandparents causes me a lot of worries because if anything ever happens, I wish I could be there to help out or make things better.
My mamaw is a talented artist, she paints. But after she was diagnosed with dementia, she stopped painting as much. I also paint, and I almost cried when she gave me all of her paint brushes and old canvases. They're things I cherish and don't let anyone else use.
After my grandma was diagnosed with dementia, my grandpa continued to go out of his way in order to make sure she was well-cared for. I don't know what I would do if my grandpa wasn't around to care for her.
Being so far south and not always being able to drive over to my grandparents' house at any time makes me cherish my time with my grandparents so much more when I actually can be in Indiana.
When I went away to college, I started face-timing my grandparents a lot more. My grandparents are always so supportive and giving, I am so lucky to have them in my life.
My grandma sent me a Mother's Day card last year because my mom and my sister were getting one and she didn't want me to feel left out. It's the little things like that that make me appreciate my grandparents that much more.
I wanted to say thank you to you both, mamaw and papaw. For always being there for me and for making me laugh. For always checking on me and keeping me in the loop with whatever is going on in your lives. Thank you for providing so much for me and for taking care of me. I love you both so much.
