I grew up in a home where my grandparents were always around. Now that I look back, I realize what an influence their presence has had on my upbringing. Grandparents for every kid are a source of love and affection. Children love being pampered by their grandparents. I have such fond memories of both my maternal and paternal grandparents. Being from a Punjabi family I was fed a lot of delicious food and since I’m the youngest in the house I’ve certainly had my fair share of pampering as well. I’ve troubled them too, but I managed to get away with it almost every time. I remember visiting my grandparents in Delhi when I was living in Hyderabad. They made sure that I had a memorable trip. They’d take me and my brothers to Nirula’s where we’d eat, play in the small area that had been reserved for children and enjoyed ourselves.

I’d play in the park for hours in the morning and evening after which my Nani (maternal grandmother) would make lemonade for us. My Nanu (maternal grandfather) used to give us money to buy chips and ice cream that we liked. Summer vacations were always fun. At home my paternal grandparents have stayed with us, we’d go for picnics together, I wouldn’t eat lunch unless my mom made me sit in their room and eat. I used to carry food from the kitchen to my grandparents room in the basket of my tricycle. Whenever I sit with them they narrate stories of what I used to do as a child. I have a very strong bond with my grandparents because they have been very involved in me and my brother’s lives. Sitting with them hearing them narrate stories of the stuff we did when we were younger makes me feel really happy. They have inculcated a lot of values in me and my brother for which I’m very thankful. I’ve learnt a lot from them hearing all the hardships that they have faced in their lives. Their support has been integral in the person I’ve become today. I continue to learn from them and I feel blessed to have them with me. A quote by Jay Lesley on the importance of grandparents :

“Young people need something stable to hang on to — a culture connection, a sense of their own past, a hope for their own future. Most of all, they need what grandparents can give them.”

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