There’s that old expression that goes “If mom says no, ask grandma.” Well, this rang true throughout my life, as my grandparents were essentially my second parents, minus the annoying strictness. As much as they spoiled me, I learned some of the most important life lessons from them.
I got my love of fashion from my maternal grandmother, or as I called her, Nana. She taught me “how a lady acts,” and what class and elegance is. She loved to shop and always dressed to impress; there wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t have lipstick on.
From my maternal grandfather, or as I called him, Pop-pop, I learned how to laugh at myself and enjoy life. He always said, “You can either laugh or cry at life, and I chose to laugh.” Because of him, I am able to laugh at myself or not take life too seriously, and always try to have fun by trying new things.
From my paternal grandmother, or Nanny, I was introduced to the magic in life. It was my paternal grandparents that always took me to Disney World when I was little, and loved playing dressup and puppets with me. Nanny showed me the culture in the world, as she loved to travel. I think it’s from her that I got my obsession with learning about different cultures and loving to travel.
I learned patience and how to be thoughtful from my paternal grandfather, Poppy. He was always kind and forgiving, and usually the quieter one at family gatherings. But when he did talk, he wouldn’t disappoint; it was either something really funny or meaningful, an interesting tidbit about this or that. Now when I speak, I try to make it something worthwhile, and I try not to talk just for the sake of talking, which is something I learned from him.
In today’s modern age of new technology, always being faster and better than the last, and always looking forward, I think our generation often forgets to look at our past. We often think of our grandparents and their ideas as being outdated and irrelevant, but maybe it’s within them and their wisdom that lies our bright future; after all, we wouldn’t be who or where we are today without them and their efforts.
Dedicated to the four most wonderful grandparents a girl could ask for. Thank you for teaching me so much, and being the true definitions of “grandparents.” I will always miss you and remember you Nana, Pop-pop and Nanny.
Photo credits: connatserfamilylaw.com