Grandmothers are the greatest human beings. They are like your mom, sibling, and best friend all bundled into one person. They spoil you, love you, feed you, yell at you, but if you have a Puerto Rican grandmother like mine, things can be a little different.
First of all, I don't call her grandma, I call her Abuela and all my friends call her Abuela as if she is their grandmotherly figure too. No matter where Abuela is, she is the life of the party, even at the doctor's office. Abuela loves to make people laugh and most of the time, she's not even trying to be funny. She's your typical grandmother except she has a cute accent.
Abuela likes to go to the "club" and by that I mean, she goes to her community's clubhouse every Saturday night and goes dancing with the other 55 and up crowd. She dances to Salsa and Merengue and then recuperates from her wild night by coming over and taking a nap on our couch. Sometimes she brings me leftover food and party hats. Why? I have no idea. Do I enjoy free random things? Yes. Besides, if I refuse she would be very upset with me and yell at me in Spanish.
Just like any other grandmother, there is always that point where I take her shopping and I turn around and she's gone. I could never understand how an elderly woman could move so quickly, but somehow she does it. One time, we lost Abuela in the Vera Bradley store. My mom and I searched the entire store and she was GONE. Turns out, she wandered into the stock room while holding some items she wanted to purchase. When we found her, she says to me, "look what I found for you. Is so pretty." I wanted to be polite but I wasn't too fond of this wallet that she picked out so I told her I didn't like it to which she responds, "ay, pero it's ugly."
Abuela is probably the happiest, liveliest person I know. She loves everyone and even though she may not understand what you're saying sometimes, she just nods her head and laughs anyways. If you're hungry, she will feed you and if you aren't, she will still try to feed you (most likely some fruit filled pastry or some plantains). Puerto Rican grandmas are there for you when you need Vicks Vapor Rub, when your mom chases you with a chancleta, and when you run out of Goya seasoning and she has some extra. I know mine is always there for me and that's why Puerto Rican grandmas are definitely worth celebrating, so in the words of Abuela, "WEPA!"
