Despite how much my mother laughs at me about it or tells me that’s just not true, I truly know myself that my grandmother is my best friend in this entire world. I know, that’s kind of weird, right?
Most girls my age have a good group of solid friends, with a best friend being at least relatively close to their age who they can talk to about their life experiences, compare stories, and talk to all day and night about whatever they please. But for me, my 88-year-old grandmother is actually my best friend, and I don’t feel weird about it for one second.
If you ask anyone who knows me well enough, they should say that my favorite thing to do is to sit on the couch with my laptop, get some work done, and watch television and talk for hours with my grandmother. I love talking to her so much, whether it’s day or night, over the phone or in person, for five minutes or five hours. I tell her about my life, what’s going on with my classes, how hard I’m working with all of my jobs plus school, the little social life that I do have, and basically anything going on that’s worth mentioning.
We talk about politics and how our views are opposites but we respect each other’s opinions, how much she hates the Kardashian’s even though I love them, and what crazy thing is happening in the news that day. She is one of the smartest, kindest, most generous people I’ve ever met in my 21 years of existence, and I don’t think I’ll be able to find someone with that combination of characteristics ever again in my life.
Through all of the rocky times I’ve had in the past couple of years with my chronic illnesses, my parent’s separation, financial problems, and even becoming homeless, she never stopped being there for me through it all. She knows how hard I work every day to make money and continue to be financially stable with my own life, yet she will never say no to helping me purchase textbooks or anything for school. I love how she yells at me that I actually save too much money, and she’ll slide $20 into my hand sometimes and say, “Spend this on something good, please!”
Throughout all of my hard times, she’s never stopped believing in me for one second. She prays for my health and well-being every morning and every night, and although I’m not a religious person, it means the world to me that someone as religious as she is would take the time from their ritual to wish me well and pray for me.
She is the only one who has continuously supported my hopes and dreams, no matter how much they’ve changed, and she constantly comments on my hard work, dedication, and how she knows that I will be successful in the future. My mom tells me all of the time how she’ll be walking past the kitchen, and my grandma will be on the phone talking to someone, and she’ll spend the entire time bragging about my accomplishments.
Say what you will about my weird relationship with my grandmother and how she is my best friend in this world, but I wouldn’t trade it for a second. In fact, I honestly feel that if more people my age actually took the time to really get to know their grandparents and form a better relationship with them on more of a friendship level, they’d be happier and actually enjoy spending time with them. And if you’re reading this and it’s been a long time since you’ve called your grandparents, give them a ring. They’ll be thrilled by the mere sound of your voice.
