And as I think about her and those moments today, I can see that it was a blessing to be with our grandma.
I remember having to go live with my grandmother for a while during the summers. My brother Vincent and I always felt like we were being punished and excluded from the rest of the family because we would get shipped off while our other brother and sister stayed home, enjoying the beach, Disneyland, their friends, etc. While we ended up spending our summer pulling weeds all day or chopping wood, it seemed like we were outcasts. Growing up, our grandmother was very strict, but she loved us. And as I think about her and those moments today, I can see that it was a blessing to be with our grandma. I got to spend more time than most of my siblings and cousins did with her, something I wish I was able to do more of today. Growing up, we were not the wealthiest of people, but we never went without either. Grandma always made sure that we had everything we needed and went out of her way to show us she loved us. She lived in a small town, Clayton, N.M. It was one of those towns where everyone knew each other, went to church together, and attended sporting events together. One weekend, there was going to be a big basketball game at the high school about one block from Grandma’s home. The whole school had been talking about it, my neighbors, everyone, and everyone was going to be there. Except me. I never really asked Grandma for money to go to shows or games or stuff like that. I knew that we did not have funds like that. Well, the night of the game, my grandma called me into the front room. She had a jar of pennies and nickels. She poured the contents onto the table and told me to count out $3.25. So I helped her count it out, not understanding why. When we were done, she gave me the change, told me to go get my good clothes on, and she walked me to the gym where the game was being played. My grandmother, without me asking, knew that I wanted to go to the game, and she went out of her way to make sure that I was able to be there like all the other kids. I was so excited, and if you knew my grandma, you could have seen how happy she was just for me to be happy. I will never forget that night. Shoot, I do not even remember the game or what I did that evening, I only remember her doing that for me. I love you, Grandma.
