My maternal grandma died in 1996 just short of her 101st birthday. She was a person I idolized. I wanted to be just like her, but I have lost track of that desire.
My grandma was a very positive person, always seeing the silver lining even in the worst situations in her life. She saw the best in people, and therefore brought out the best in people.
I loved travelling and spending time with grandma. I remember one Greyhound bus trip we took together to Vancouver. I have know idea why we were travelling, who we needed to visit, or how we got home again but I do remember feeling very special to be on this great adventure with my grandma! She brought along a bag of candy, and we observed people. She told me that she would sometimes take the bus to the mall and sit at the mall, watching people and wondering what was going on in their lives. She was genuinely curious and non-judgemental. Most of the time…..
Judgement was reserved for when it matter, for example the day when I needed some validation and encouragement. She told me “never mind your mother — she is terribly old-fashioned” when I announced that I was going to move to Thailand to marry the person I loved. Although she was judging my mother (!) I knew that she was happy for me.
Grandma had an impressive sense of adventure and wrote many letters to me while I was living overseas. She spoke of her dream of travelling, but there were always reasons beyond her control that kept her from realizing those dreams. But she always encouraged us to follow our dreams and not to wait until the perfect time to start living.
Now that I am grandmother, am I demonstrating a positive outlook on life? Am I using my example to help my grandchildren see the best in others, and to find the silver lining in every situation. I think I have a lot of work to do.
Reflections 