Let's go back in time to when you were five years old. You're hanging out with your siblings, just goofing around, and you look up to see your grandma babysitting you. At this point in time, you don't think twice about her being there. You don't think twice about her nimble fingers raising the heat on the stove or the way her hands hold her paintbrush. Instead, you're focused on attacking your older brother for teasing you and stealing your stuffed animal, while your sister is trying to mediate your shenanigans.
I loved my grandparents, but it's hard as a kid to wrap your mind around the thought of them never being around again. That thought can't get through your thick skull. Death wasn't a thing people talked about often or prepared you for it. You thought everyone important to you would live forever.
To those of you reading this who have yet to lose a grandparent, you are the lucky ones. The pain is inexplicable because your body and mind feels a combination of pain and regret, especially with grandparents. You loved those times with your grandparents, but you look back and wish you told them you loved them more. You wish that you asked her to teach you to paint or how to cook tamales. You wish you asked him to tell you that story about Cuba one more time, or maybe the story about when he beat up a boy for talking to his older sister.
To those of you with your grandparents, love them and make sure they know how much you love them. Let them know how much you care about them because sadly, we all have an expiration date. Some sooner than others, but eventually, we all leave our loved ones behind.
I have one grandmother left. We call her Abi because it's short for abuela, and I treasure every moment I have with her and strive to learn her wisdom. I've never seen a woman laugh more in my life. Even when she's hurting, she's positive and charming. No one has ever disliked my grandmother.
Listen to them. Their stories are, more likely than not, incredible. Leaving your crazy mother when you were 18 to live in Havana isn't normal, and bailing to Russia by yourself for a few weeks because of a bad fight you had with your husband is pretty insane.
Don't forget to hug them and sneak a smile at them. They are your biggest supporters. Because of this, you need to support them, too. My grandmother doesn't really like going to social events with her friends anymore, because, she told me, every time she goes there is another empty chair.
Just make time for them and love your elders. Without them, there wouldn't be you. Their influence on your parents and you will stay with you forever.
