To My Grandfather

“Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” — Alex Haley

Like many of my friends, I used to spend most of my summer breaks at my grandparents’ house in the city. Throughout my childhood, I used to look forward to these vacations for the entire year. During these interludes, time took on a different meaning and I could break free from the usual routine. And after each summer, I returned having learned things, which I knew my school, would never teach me.

I usually spent the mornings learning something new. This was because my grandfather strongly believed that a person could never stop garnering knowledge. So, some days, it used to be Math games, while on others he would take out an Atlas to show me all the countries and their capitals. He also taught me to play chess and told me stories about the origin of the universe.

A lot of my firsts were with him and one such memory stands out sharply. One day while my mom and grandma were out to run some errands, grandpa said we should make something for them to have once they come back from the hot June sun. After poking around in the kitchen, we found watermelon and decided that we would make juice out of that. Out came the blender and the strainer and we spent the next hour making juice and creating a small mess. But the surprise on my mom and grandma’s face was worth all the hard work.

Today, I love cooking and feeding people; it gives me immense pleasure to see my loved ones enjoying what I made for them. And the first time I ever felt that joy was on that one morning, blending watermelons with my grandfather.

Post lunch it was always storytime. I have always been an avid reader and would spend my afternoons reading away blissfully while my grandfather used to rest. I still remember how the sunlight would filter through the curtains and the room would be cool even on a hot afternoon. 

Come evening and I would go for a walk with my grandfather. It was these walks that were my favorite part of the day. I would ask all kinds of questions and he would answer all of them with a patience that only a grandparent can show to their precious grandchild. To me, this was my safest place; I knew I could ask him anything and would get an answer. There were no stupid questions between us.

And so the days continued and before long it would be time to pack our bags and return to the town where my dad worked. I would start dreaming about the next vacation the moment the train left the platform.

My grandfather passed away earlier this year. I was on the other side of the world at that time and could not be with him during his last moments. Nor did I get to say goodbye in person.

He was my greatest champion and supporter. A lot of what I am today, I owe to him. My knack for trivia, my daily spiritual quests, love for meditation- are just a few things I received from him as an inheritance. It pains me to think that the next time I go home, he will not be there to give me a hug. But that is the reality of life.

It is said that the ones we truly love never really leave us; they walk with us every day, unseen and unheard, but always by our sides. We always carry them in our hearts.

I know that it is true for my grandfather and me.

Peace 

Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.