ME AND GRANDPA

 I had a happy childhood. There were many people around, a lot of love and support. If I had to look back into the house where I was born and raised, there would be many sweet memories. My grandparents, my uncle, my mom, and my dad were a great part of it. We had a three-story house. Grandparents were at the lower story and we were at the top part. When my brother was born I was about five years old and grandma and grandpa provided a lot of support as I was growing up. Grandma who was a teacher, would help me with my homework. I was quite clumsy and lost a lot of my stationary at school. They would ensure that we always had a storage full of pencils, coloured pencils, etc.  

Uncle was often busy with his things but we would watch TV together, I would watch him do his artistic sketching and Painting or him playing his ancient musical instrument. We would also go for a drive in the evenings and have some ice cream or nice street food. I had a brief 3-year stay in South Africa and when I got back to my grand parent’s house my uncle was married and he had moved out.

I loved spending time with my grandparents. I am sure they also enjoyed watching us grow in front of their eyes. Studies show that grandparents will have a longer and healthier life the more time they spend with their grandchildren.

Grandma was more talkative and vocal. She always had a sweet story to tell. I know almost everything. From the time she was a little girl to the time she met Grandpa. The birth of her kids and their childhood up to how my mom and dad met and got married. Grandpa was the quiet one. He was more active and worked for almost ten years after he retired from his government job. He was in charge of the shopping as well. He was of great help during the time I was in high school and needed different kinds of textbooks for the university entrance exams. I had to give him a name and he would be back with the textbook! He would also take me to different exam venues and come and fetch me after I was done. Back then I was not comfortable navigating my way in the big city.

He was very proud of me when I made it to medical school! He passed away in his 90s in August 2018 from the complications of a fall in the kitchen while making tea in the morning. I got into the registrar program the same year. I did not make it to his funeral but I flew home for the 40th day ceremony. As we get closer to the anniversary of his passing in August I feel very emotional and being away from home makes it sadder. Grandpa will always have a special place in my heart no matter where I live!





 

 

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