Grandmother

Dear Grandma,

They say a grandma’s hug can cure anything that may ail you. In my life I’ve been blessed to have someone who not only could hug away the pain I was in when I was a child, but also give me tough love when I needed it. I may never be able to fit my grandmothers shoes they simply are just too big for me to ever fill, but everyday I continue to try to be like her.

To the woman who made me who I am today, firstly I should tell you how thankful I am, the blessing you have been in my life has followed through from my childhood into adulthood and even now motherhood. I see the reasoning behind the tough love. I wish I knew more words from the dictionary to tell you in descriptive length how you; grandma are the pinnacle of this family. It may sound cliché when I say you are the blood pumping through this family, the glue that keeps us together.

I’ve never met such a courageous woman as you grandma, you raised two daughters and just when you thought you were done life had other plans. And so, you adopted your three grandsons. I often wonder how scared you may have been, how in complete and utter heartbreak you may have experienced knowing your empty nesting days were over. You are a teacher when needed a tutor when things just don’t make sense, a homemade doctor when the scrapes and bruises seem to be a little too much. I owe you my life and not in a because you had my mom which entailed me being born sort of way but in a you’ve given up parts of your life, and even freedom’ to make me who I am today.

I often wonder if when you look in the mirror if you see your boldness, the way love just emanates from you, or if the voices get to you to and tell you that you may not be good enough. If it’s the latter, I wish you could hear my voice telling you how strong you are. If I could choose a superhero that embodied who you are it would have to be Wonder Woman, because let’s be real, we all wonder how you get through the hard times in life and still manage to keep your head and shoulders lifted to the sky.

I remember the day I got admitted to the hospital and was diagnosed with diabetes, you stayed in the hospital and were my safe place when I needed it. My rock when I struggled with the injections and the constant waking up. Growing up I’ve always wanted to be just like you and while that’s still true to this day I hope I make you proud of the woman, mother, and person I have become.

Grandma the day I lose you, I don’t know how I will cope, the one person I’ll want to talk to is you and unfortunately, you’ll be gone (so thanks for that in advance, way to leave me like that). The glue that once held this family together won’t be as strong, I fear I won’t be as strong, because we can all admit I’m a bit of a drama queen. My confidant, best friend, the woman who raised me will be gone; the question will be how do I push through like you did? So, for now I will cherish each day that we are together and make more memories to carry with me for when that dreaded day comes.

My grandma is my hero and I hope one day I’m just like her, because then I think I will have finally made a difference in other people’s lives just like you did for me.

When you look the definition of grandmother, the definition doesn’t do you justice. Grandmother (n): the greatest mother there is.