My Forever Guardian Angels

The earliest memories I can remember are around age three. My parents would leave me at either of their parents house every other day while they went off to work. My dad's parents, whom I call Gramma and Grampa, would have me on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I enjoyed my time there as I was able to do anything I wanted. They had everything I loved at their house which made going there ten times more fun.

My favorite show was Blue's Clues so they got a small table with Blue's face on it. They would take it out from the porch every time they watched me and I would play with play-doh or my Pretty Pretty Princess game on it constantly. They had an entire cabinet full of all of the cousins' favorite Disney and DreamWorks movies that we played every visit.

Gramma could sew and had a sewing room. She once sewed two dresses with the exact same pattern, one for me and one for my favorite baby doll. That was my favorite dress for the longest time. She also sewed two giant pillows for me and my brother, which we still have to this day. Gramma could also bake like no other. Her chocolate chip cookies were to absolutely die for. There wasn't a time that Gramma wouldn't let us lick the spoon. She would host baking parties with the cousins and we would all go up and sew with her too. Gramma retired from being the president of the city's local crisis center for domestic abuse. She helped various women and children in toxic situations get to safety and live happy healthy lives. She also worked with Child Protective Services and kicked some serious ass there. Gramma passed away on December 29, 2016 at the age of 78. She suffered from Parkinson's Disease the last few years of her life and ended up having two strokes that sent her into hospice care. She died with the love of her life next to her, my Grampa, and while on the phone with my dad. She was loved and blessed with a fulfilling life.

Her partner of over 50 years was my best friend, Grampa. Growing up, Grampa was an inspiring and kind soul. He would take me to local minor league baseball games, he even got me a chance to be an honorary bat girl at one of the games. He was the biggest Chicago Cubs fan in the entire world and would watch their old games every week after the new ones. My favorite thing about Grampa was his knowledge. His body started going bad in 2018, he became small and withered and there were days where he could barely walk, but his mind held up with the changing of the world. He had very liberal views and saw people for who they were not the color of their skin or for who they loved or identified as. I had the absolute honor of living with him for three years. He quickly became my best friend and partner in crime. We would sit and smoke in his man cave and talk shit about people. He would tell me all about his childhood and my dad's childhood. His stories would just leave me wanting more. He was a funny and smart-assy kind of guy. He had quick one liners and would always make sure to put a smile on everyone's face.

Before Grampa passed, he got to meet my current girlfriend which made my heart whole. One of the last things he said to her was, "thank you". For being my person, I bet. But the way he kissed her cheek and hugged her and said, "thank you" made my whole year. Grampa passed December 6, 2022, taking a huge piece of my heart with him but at least he's reunited with his person. My gramparents meant a lot to me and I'm super lucky I had the time I did with them. They are precious gems that deserve the world.