I have spent two fabulous weeks with family and friends in Peru. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we ate a lot!
The hardest part was definitely saying goodbye to my grandfather. In the last 3 years, his age has taken a toll on him. From one year to the next his ability to walk has almost been taken away. He is beginning to forget things. Maybe it's the fact that I'm older, that I'm grown, or that he is my last grandparent alive and I just want him to be around forever.
I love him. I love the stories they tell me of him since he used to be so strict, but somehow, he had a tender spot for his grand kids. I was his first grandchild, and I love hearing stories of when he would rescue me from my parents when I was getting scolded.
I love his stubbornness, yet I hate that this keeps him from doing things that would probably help him (like using a sturdier cane). I see him now and thank god for the time that we have spent together. Losing my Mama, his wife, was my first big loss. I never forgave myself for not calling her more often. With Nonna (my dad's mom), it was the same. I was lost. But I vow never to do this again. Never to take my family for granted. I have been lucky enough to visit him two years in a row. I hope I can continue to do the same. I don't ever want to feel like I could have done more to see and spend time with him.
Never take your loved ones for granted. Love them to pieces every single day!
