My Memories Of Grandma And Grandpa

My earliest memory of my childhood has to be the first major fight my parents had that has been seared into the memories of my childhood. We all hate to see our parents fight and usually when I would witness my parents fight I would block it out because “mommy and daddy will always love each other no matter what.” They would tell me that over and over again no matter how bad their fights got. I yearn so badly to tell my younger self not to hang on to that idea of love because that idea in the end wasn’t really love at all.

My grandma had survived a hard life, and yet managed to raise four responsible, well-educated, and successful children. All this she did while working as a respected psychiatric nurse and a state mental health board member. Although she had had and was still overcoming trials in life, I always knew she would be there and cared about me and my life. As my brother and I grew older and were unable to visit my grandparents as often as we

Our aunts and uncles came to visit grandma almost everyday, it was almost like our daily family gathering. The endless laughs, the stories of their childhood, and the Middle Eastern food; I wouldn’t have traded those moments for a thing. Everyone cared so much for

Ever since I was a child, my grandpa has always been my favorite relative. He taught me countless tricks in life, like how to tie my shoes and pee in the woods, yes I said pee in the woods, and has always showed me how important it is to have fun. He used to ride around with me on his motorcycle as I clung to him holding on for dear life but still looking out at the amazing view that surrounded us. The highlights of his motorcycle rides however, were

One summer, when I was 11, I lived with my grandma. I was a very adventurous child and my grandma lives in the very south side of Laredo, so whenever I would go outside, she would make my older cousin would go with me. To keep me from going toward street, she would tell me that there was a 1,700 year old creature called “The Ripper” that would take small children, rip them of their skin, and eat their remains. Supposedly, it was snake like with faded blue and green scales, arms and legs with six claws each, full blazing yellow eyes, and a long tail with three rows of four sharp spikes. As you can tell, my grandma was really graphic and dramatic. In a way, her graphicness worked and kept me away from the street. She would tell my that if I had ever went to the street and it took me, she would never be able to get over the anguish she would feel. I was always so curious on where the creature lived; a house, on the streets, in the drains. My mission was to find out where it lived, and defeat it. I was really intimidated by it, but I knew that with my strength and confidence, I could do great things. Such as, defeat the old creature.

Ever since she was young, Esther has always been a working woman, and has never slowed down. She has been very active and mobile her whole life and does not let her age or diabetes stop her from doing what she loves. After everything my grandmother has went through growing up she still has plans for the future even at age 71, whether it is taking care of her family or traveling to new cities or countries.

I was quite a diffident child that knew too much for her own good. Like some, I was attached to my grandma and was gullible enough to think she will forever be with me. My grandma was an admirable woman who raised me through hardships and despairs. She made me realize every individual had a different perspective, whether it was positive or not it did not matter for we were all entitled to have it. At that time, she was everything I had and cared for. That is not to say I did not love my mother, but you see, my mother and I were in completely different regions up until my fifth birthday. Through the years, I came to love my mother just as much as my grandma and continued to be the high spirited child that I was. Anyhow, change is bound to happen in life.

“They’re only worth a nickel, but money adds up.” Grandma would take me to the

I remember when I was around 8, in the hot summer, waking up in the morning to my stuffed duck I would sleep with at my grandma’s house. As the sun peeked through the annoying blinds that did not close all the way, I would get up and head to the living room. Grandma was usually watching her cooking shows, so I’d sit down and watch with her while I waited for my sister to wake up. Grandpa would just be getting back from hunting, which he would wake up at 4 to go and do. Once my sister woke up we would all sit down and eat breakfast together. Breakfast usually consisted of pancakes with too much syrup and a glass of orange juice. Grandma would get on to us if we did not brush our teeth afterward, so we made sure to do that.

I had never given much thought to my family and its place in history before. Sure, I had heard small anecdotes about relatives in the past, but I was too young to fully understand and appreciate their importance. Now, after having the opportunity to further educate myself, I am able to understand my rich family history in the context of the twentieth century. Additionally, learning about the events that my relatives witnessed and faced allows me to appreciate the constructs I was born into at the turn of the twentieth century, and the sense of stability I have experienced throughout my life. I now know that not long ago my ancestors left Russia to come to the United States for more opportunities, and that my great grandfather helped support his family through the Great Depression and bravely fought in World War Two. Also, I learned more about my grandparents and their first hand accounts and the roles they played during twentieth century events like the Cold War and Vietnam War. The separate roles and stories come together to tell a grand narrative that explains how and why my family reached its place in history today.

At a young age, I saw my grandma doing selfless deeds all the time. They were things she never broadcasted to the world, but were big enough to change someone’s life. She married my Grandpa at the young age of seventeen. Since my grandpa was deployed in the military, she had to meet him in Germany, where she travelled alone to get to him. During her journey, she couldn’t get a hold of her husband so she had to go through many people, many of whom who did not speak English, and somehow make her way to the military base that he was staying at. She told this story to teach me not to be scared of what lies in front of you. She was able to figure her way out of a very difficult situation to get to what she wanted.

The relationship between me and my grandmother was great in the beginning, but one day something happened that made it take a turn for the worse. Not too long ago, my grandma came to live with me and my family. At the time, my mother was pregnant with my little brother so it would be two new additions to our family. When she came, we had a great bond and got to know each other. But then an argument we had changed everything and our bond wasn’t the same after that day.

On August 2, 2017 I went to meet my Grandma at the Bloomington Airport. I was so scared to go on the plane,because I had never flown before. So we got into the airport and went through bag check.That was the time my mom could not be with me any more.I gave her one last big hug.The hug was like a great big bear hug.I had tears in my eyes.I was just ready to start bursting into tears.When we got on the plane I looked at the seat then sat down.The chair gave me quite the relief.I rubbed my hand against the arm chair I felt the smooth cool feeling.I looked out the window thinking I will not be in IL. for a week.Which seemed like a month! The plane finally took off with a loud roar. About 20 minutes into the fight my mom sent a message.It said that she walked back to the car and started to cry. That about made me cry right there on the spot.

I only have one memory of my Uncle; he was like a star, nice, warm, caring and would never do anything to harm someone he loves…or loved. When I was little my family visited my foreign family in Scotland; the only thing I remember is when my Uncle screamed “Happy Birthday Kiddo” and threw me into a bouncy castle. That’s all I remember about that trip…and my uncle. If I only met my uncle once why should I have to leave school to go to his funeral? I won’t know anybody; nobody will know me; I will just take up space. What’s the point?

I remember my childhood as if it were yesterday. Nothing was better than my closest friends. We Hanged out, fished, climbed the mango trees in the garden, Card games, board games, and even teased the innocent grocery store keeper. I didn 't want any new friends; I had no idea what the world had to offer. Life was a simple cliché routine. I invented a circle and trapped myself inside it. I made my own world and lived within it. I ultimately enjoyed every aspect of my childhood. Eventually, a lesson had taught me that I had a misguided perspective of what friendship means.