My grandma’s birthday was yesterday (not coincidentally on All Saints Day—because she truly is one). For her birthday, I’ve been reflecting on all of the things she has taught me in life, most of them she’s never been thanked for, so here’s my chance to try.
My grandma taught me how to play Scrabble. We played a different card or board game every day after school because she knows how much I love them. She always beats me at Scrabble, because she has a way with words, and not only when being put together with tiles. She taught me to speak kindly and that picking the best words to use in life are more important than even the “triple word” spot.
My grandma taught me to sew. She taught me not only how to make skirts, shirts, jackets, pants, and dresses, but she taught me the importance of hard work. She taught me that spending weeks on something is worth it in the end, even when I wanted to finish it in days. I learned the importance of keeping my stitches straight, but that it isn’t the end of the world if they’re not. Like in life, sometimes we get second chances. We are sometimes lucky enough to rip out the stitches and start over. Other times, we can’t. But that doesn’t ruin the outfit…or whatever it may be. That makes it truly unique, one made just by me…which is something to love and be proud of.
My grandma taught me how to truly be there. There isn’t a sport I joined (and believe me, I joined a lot growing up) that she didn’t attend at least five or more games a season for. She showed up for not only those, but for Grandparent's Days, Christmas programs, birthdays… She even showed up when I was just reading a sentence at a "class mass." My grandma instilled the importance of being there—of caring enough to show up and root on people that need it.
My grandma taught me how to live selflessly. There isn’t a thing she wouldn’t do for her family and nothing that she wouldn’t give up. She would do without so that others could have what they needed. She taught me to sacrifice for the ones you love and that family is the most important gift we have.
My grandma taught me how to love through loss. Things we never thought could be gone are in the blink of an eye, and we are left with what we make of it. Trying to be invincible is unrealistic, because we can’t always control everything that happens in life. But, we can control our attitudes and actions, and that is what makes us who we are.
Most importantly, my grandma taught me what it means to love God. She taught me to be constant in prayer, even when things don’t go our way. She encouraged me always to keep God first, listen to His will, and remain strong in our faith. It isn’t always easy to remain steady in something, but when it comes to God, it is always more than worth it. She has been a constant role model in everything in life, but in this more than anything.
A simple "thank you" sometimes just doesn’t suffice for the ones who do so much for us. It doesn’t live up to the number of countless things they’ve given us, things they’ve given up for us, and prayers they’ve said for us. So, even though you will never know the amount of gratitude and love I have for you, thank you, Grandma. Thank you for the lessons you have taught, the faith you have instilled, and the love you have given.
