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I’m just going to come right out here and let y’all know that this is probably going to hit you a little hard and may put you in your feels. I don’t mean to do this to you on purpose, but it’s something that really needs to be said. Cherish your grandparents.
I know there are things out there that tell you to treasure your parents or to treasure your siblings or your friends, but I really want y’all to realize that your grandparents can be some of the biggest influences that you will ever have. I was lucky enough to be raised by my grandparents until my parents split when I was in kindergarten. My granddad couldn’t read or write but I promise you he was the smartest man I’ve ever met. You know that grandparent that was basically your hero? Well, my granddad was mine. I lost him when I was 17 years old and it hurt. I know this may cut deep because many of us have lost our grandparents or maybe never even have been able to have met our grandparents. But that’s why I want to say what I have to say, because for the people that still do have them: y’all need to realize how important they really are. There are a multitude of reasons why.
Some of the wisest people you’ll ever meet in your life will be your grandparents. Whether they’re in their 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s, they have seen so many things and witnessed so much history. Many of our grandparents grew up during the Great Depression and remember segregation. They have seen war after war and conflict after conflict. They’ve watched technology boom from color TV to Internet to the smart phones almost none of them know how to use. I mean, how many times have you tried to help your grandparent figure out something related to technology? “Is this thing on?”
Some of the funniest people you will ever meet will be your grandparents. Whether you have a grandfather that likes to crack dirty jokes and relentlessly hit on your grandmother and every other woman that has two feet, or you have a cynical grandmother that loves to crack a couple dark jokes here and there, they will always have you laughing. Also, a lot of grandparents can really throw down in the kitchen. Maybe it’s just my southern bias, but there is nothing better than an old woman’s cooking.
Honestly though, one of the greatest things is a grandparent’s love. Remember when you were little kid and your parents said you couldn’t do something or have something and then your grandparents turned around and did it behind their back? Did you ever have a rough day or you just weren’t feeling yourself and you climbed up in your grandparents lap and they just rubbed your head and held you? Did you ever confess to your grandparents about something that you probably shouldn’t have done and they didn’t get mad? Because they loved you. There is no greater feeling than the love of a grandparent.
Why am I writing this? I don’t know. I’ve slept about 7 or 8 total hours in the past 3 days. I just had to watch my girlfriend’s grandmother take her last breath. She was an amazing woman that made me feel like I was a part of the family. The past couple of days have sucked, and I guess I just needed to vent. I’m really sorry to hit y’all with something this deep, but you need to hear it. Please, cherish your grandparents because you don’t know how long they’ll be around.
Call your grandparents and tell them you love them, because I promise that they love you..
Image via Shutterstock
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This is a fantastic article, and one that really hits home. I’ve still got my maternal grandparents nearby, and my Grandma beating cancer at age 84 was the reminder I needed to cherish their wisdom, selflessness, and dedication to the family as often as possible. (Even if they are Trump supporters)
Thank you for this. I just found out that my grandma has cancer at 84 and your post about your grandma beating cancer at 84 really made my day.
So sorry to hear that. Will be keeping your family in my prayers, hang tough.
My grandma still calls me and asks how school is. I graduated college years ago. She’s slowly losing it and it’s sad. Great article.
As someone who doesn’t have any grandparents left including never having met my mom’s parents, I must say this is very spot on. Also, if you’ve never felt the wrath of your grandma’s wooden spoon, you didn’t have a real childhood.
I made an account just to comment on this. This was a fantastic article. I lost my grandpa on Friday, and if only a third of his stories are true, he lived an unbelievable life. this was exactly what I needed today.
Just remember that pain is temporary and his memories will live on with you forever.
Sorry for your loss. They’re never really gone. It’s been two years since I lost my grandma, but not a day goes by that I don’t think about an inappropriate joke she made, or her swearing at motorists when still drove and laugh.
About that time I go make my Grandparents some crab bisque and watch SVU.
The life of Shibby intrigues me greatly.
My grandparents are awesome, my grandpa in particular passed on to me his love of cars, as well as his combination of ingenuity/talent working with his hands/basic cheapness that leads me to do a lot of my own DIY work on our cars and house to this day. He passed about 5 years ago, we were lucky to have him for a long time.
Damn. It’s a little early to have my eyes sweating like this. Must be the humidity.
They’re also the strongest people you’ll ever encounter. My grandma raised myself and my two siblings – one of which is special needs. She worked full time to provide for us til the day she died. All while hiding the kidney cancer that eventually killed her, just so we didn’t worry about her. She died when I was 16 and a dozen years later it doesn’t hurt any less. Great article.
My grandma passed last year just before thanksgiving while I was the only one with her. My grandpa said I was the best person to have there, since she and I had always gotten each other. I have Mexican with my grandpa every Thursday now, but it’s a damn good reminder man.
Sorry for your loss.
My Dad’s Mom was one tough old Scottish lady. Raised all 5 kids on her own, played golf, made kickass food and polished off every day with a glass of bottom shelf bourbon. Still one of my biggest role models to this day. Miss ya grandma.