Five years ago today, my grandmother died. It was a heartbreaking event made even worse by the fact that, due to the time difference, I received the call on Christmas day.
I grew up only seeing her a couple weeks every summer, as I lived in Pennsylvania and she lived in Shanghai. When my classmates would talk about visiting their grandparents on the weekend, I couldn’t comprehend that idea — of having your relatives live so close that you could visit them more than once a year.
Five years later, it’s still devastating. That she died on Christmas. That she never got to see who I grew up to become. That I never spent enough time with her while she was alive.
I won’t be posting any photos or writing at length about it; it’s very personal and my grandmother was so special, I’d rather not share her with the internet. But I will say this: she was the most kind-hearted woman I’ll ever know. A ‘modern-day saint’ is no exaggeration, as anyone who ever had the fortune to meet her would agree. I can only hope to one day exhibit a tenth of the patience and kindness she showed everyone every day.
I am only writing this to remind all of you who are home for the holidays right now, especially those who spend most of their time living in another country: Please, please cherish your family. Every single one of them, from your great-grandparents to your little siblings and baby cousins. You never know the next time you may see them.
And to those who aren’t home this year: Call your family. Make sure they know that you think about them and that they are loved. Make sure you are already planning a next trip home; don’t ever take them for granted and visit as often as you are able. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
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