My mom has always told me: “You make time for what’s important.” I never understood that when I was younger, but the past few years it has become clear what she was telling me. We get so caught up in our fast-paced, multi-tasking world that we don’t stop to make time for the things that actually matter. We throw ourselves into school, jobs, and our social life. Something we never think about when we’re in the middle of all that is our grandparents.
Whether we think about them or not, know that we are constantly on their minds. They’re sitting around wondering where we are and what kind of things we’re getting in to. They do not want every minute of our time. They simply want a phone call to let them know how we’re doing. They want any minute of time they can get with us because they know each minute is valuable.
To many young people, grandparents are people their parents force them to visit on occasion. They spent time with them when they were little, but once the cool kid high school phase comes around, they don’t have time anymore. Visits become few and far between. In their defense, most people don’t even realize how little they visit, it just happens. For me, things were very different.
My grandparents have always been a huge part of my life. They have been to every dance recital, school program, countless games cheered, and a million doctor's visits. Looking back, I realize how much time they spent supporting and loving me. Throughout high school, I saw them on a very regular basis. I loved being around them, but never truly appreciated my time with them like I do now.
In July, before my senior year of high school, my grandad suffered a stroke. This happened out of the blue, with little warning for his family. Grandad, on the other hand, knew that something was wrong with his health, but failed to act on it. In his eyes, telling the family he was sick would worry us. He never wanted that. However, what he didn’t know is what would happen as a result. After a week in the hospital, he had suffered two strokes, lost his ability to speak, and the right side of his body was paralyzed.
At first, we were all extremely hopeful. We knew that with lots of occupational and physical therapy, there was a good chance that he would regain his speech and abilities on his right side. However, after nine weeks on the rehab floor of the hospital, not much had changed. My grandad can now walk with a cane, and he has a motorized chair that has been a huge blessing, but he does not speak. Granted, I am incredibly thankful that he is here with us. But watching his life and my Mimi’s turn upside down was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced.
Fast-forward to today, three years later, and things are much better. My Mimi and Grandad bought their dream house and are very happy. I visit almost every day when I’m home and call them often when I’m away at school. My Mimi constantly tells me stories from her past and they never fail to amaze me. I have learned so much about life from her. My grandad may not speak, but he is very much aware of what’s going on around him. His hugs are still magic like they were when I was little, regardless of if he can talk to me or not. Their marriage has survived it all, and they have a love like no other. I have been so blessed to get 20 years and counting with them.
I say all of this to encourage you. Grandparents have so much love and wisdom to offer, and we’re so quick to take it for granted. Don’t wait until something tragic happens to open your eyes. Spend time with them now. Make time now. Appreciate them now. The clock is ticking and time is running out. Make time for them, because I promise you’ll never regret it.
