I always love getting to spend time with my Grandma! For as long as I can remember, she's been one of the biggest influences in my life. My mom has, over the past couple of years, started to take on the role of caregiver, which involves taking care of everyday things for my grandma - making sure she has meals, new clothes when needed, doctors’ appointments, paying her bills, filling out paperwork, etc. - it’s a never ending list, actually. Each new day brings the same routine and what has amazed me is my mom’s dedication to her mom. She's told me countless times she doesn’t want my grandma to feel alone. I see why she feels that way. Her parents never left her alone or with nowhere to turn. When my sister was growing up, she was with my grandparents whenever mom needed someone to watch her. When I grew up, I was never always cared for, as well. Both my grandma and grandpa made it part of their routine everyday, like clockwork, to be at my house to get me off the bus...always bursting with love and smiles to greet me. My grandma would fix snacks as we talked about the school day. I was always helped with my homework (translation: I am not and never was a math genius!) No matter what it was, they were always there. Holding me up, cheering me on and building me up. Returning the favor is only the right thing to do. Being supportive a thousand times over. For years, my grandma did well on her own and then we realized for her own safety and well-being she needed a little more assistance. Transitioning there was rough, so the supportive reinforcements were built up. Reassuring her that she would be in a safe place and able to do what she wanted so she could find more joy in being in a community that would welcome her with open arms and help her through the tough spots of moving into a new phase of life. Every once in awhile, she would say she wants to come back to the home she lived in. I started off by saying that I could really relate to her. I haven’t done all I want to in my life either, but if we get too focused on what we don’t have, we'll miss out on the blessings we do have. Mom and I both tell her how much we love her, and that moving her to where she lives now is because we want her to be safe, happy and healthy! She just happens to be all those things, now that she has gotten settled in her new home!
My grandma continues to teach me that you may not have the most ideal situation, but you can be happy in adjusting to a new situation...and come out smiling on the other side! That’s what my grandma does every day and I’m determined to do the same. Being thankful is an everyday thing. That way everyday can be sunny and bright!! Make it part of your everyday routine!
Love you Grandma!! :)
