Dear Grandma,

Happy Belated Birthday! Not too many days back, you celebrated your 69th birthday and amongst the family who had turned for your birthday celebrations, I was there too.

If you could only be with us in body and mind to feel the immense happiness we felt, the overwhelming gratitude towards God for allowing us to spend these priceless moments in your presence, you would have felt euphoria. As much as I’m not justified to understand your situation, somewhere my conscience reassures me that you’re here with us, maybe not in body and mind but in soul.

Aging must have been more of an unbearable pain than joy for you, being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a vulnerable age of 60. And within years, you were convicted with a sentence that followed your illness you are confined to bed. It crossed my mind that you illness would eventually consume your entire being. Perhaps, my rudimentary thinking made me believe that every old person was bound to contact diseases related to old age, that it was benign, and so I paid no attention to your state.

That was my mistake, Grandma, for little did I realize that the only moments I truly could spend with you were those when I was younger and under your care. I still remember those sleepless nights, years ago when your room was the first place I would run to. Needless to say, I would hop on and squeeze to sleep between you and Grandpa, pestering you to recite bedtime stories that captivated me with the adventure and creativity that you derived. Oh, how enchanted I use to be at these simple pleasures in life! Your stories had always put a smile on my face, and instilled moral values, moulding me into that person I am today. Words will never be enough to thank you, to describe the pains you want through to raise me into the person I am today. You always wanted me to be a person who is morally upright and wise in character, someone with a personality that is vibrant and unique form others and above all, a person of faith. I hope I have lived up to your expectation.

Indeed, it was in your teachings did learn my faith and strive to grow. Grandma, you are my inspiration and I want to be just like you in all I do. Never had you given up on me when I turned rebellious, or when I demanded more than what you could provide. Instead, you surreptitiously mask these feelings of hurt and fatigue and carry on being that superwoman you would always be. My heart pours out with so much of gratitude towards your sacrifice that sometimes, I blame myself for the state you ended up in. You maximized your strength for the welfare and upbringing of your grandchildren. No grandma I know will ever do that. Only God knows how much you mean to me. I love you, Grandma.

With Love,
Your granddaughter,
Petrina