What I've learned from my grandma

For me, my grandma has the most positive approach to life because she lived a very simple life – no dramas, no stress, no issues, and no debt. In my entire life, I’ve never heard that she had an enemy. I should know because my grandma lived with us when I was growing up and told me so many stories about her life and life itself. My grandpa was the exact opposite, that’s probably why he lived a shorter life. He died when he was in his mid-fifty. But my grandma was different. I admired her a lot. It was always a pleasure to be with her.

Here are a few things about my grandma that I will never forget:

She gargled with her first urine in the morning and she tried to encourage us to do the same. She said it will make our teeth healthy and strong. Our response to her was a loud “eeww”, and then we would ran away from her while she gargled. She really believed in this practice so I guess it was true for her because she never lost any of her tooth until she passed away later at 94.

She stopped wearing panty and she would just lift her skirt up a little bit and then spread her legs wide enough for her to urinate while standing up. My friends told me their lolas did the same thing so I guess it’s normal.

I’ve never seen her angry, I mean really angry. When she got upset about something she would just say ” hay kayek”, a Zambal expression. I think it meant “oh my goodness” which I also adapted saying later.

She ate raw eggs with rice every morning. She also loved eating bananas.

She was always smiling and humming.

I’ve never heard her say bad words, cursed or cussed. Not even when one of her great grandsons closed the door on her causing her fingers to get caught in between. Ouch! Yes, that was painful but not an angry word came out of her mouth.

She’s beautiful and peaceful inside and out. I always felt good whenever she’s around.

She’s been my source of inspiration ever since I can remember.

Bottom line, what I really learned from my grandma is this: Life is short and problems will always come go - but if you learn to accept everything that comes your way, learn to laugh at yourself, and understand the reason to everything that happens to you, you will learn to appreciate life and others more.

My grandma was in perfect health when she died at the age of 94. Her only complaint was her eyesight. She did not die from any form of illnesses. My mother found her lifeless in the bathroom while still sitting down in the toilet bowl. She died a natural death. I missed her so much.