I grew up with only one grandparent, my abuelita Michi. She was my mom’s mother and I adored her, but as I grew older I wished I had the rest of my grandparents. They all had passed away years before I was born, but had learned so much about them through my parents’ stories. What I wanted more than anything was a grandpa, and hopped when I had my own kids they would have a grandpa to love and to cherish.
Unfortunately, history finds away to repeat itself. My girls too are growing up with only one grandparent. My mother, Mami Charo, who adores them more than anything in this world. My husband’s father passed away just before I met him and his mother has chosen not to be part of my girls’ life. My father passed away a year before we got married and that left my girls with one grandparent.
Don’t get me wrong, they LOVE their Mama Charo to pieces and are growing surrounded by their love. But at times, I wonder how things would be if my dad was alive. He would go bananas for my girls. At his 79 years, he would run around our backyard, carry them everywhere, let them paint him all over, play barbies and watch Frozen 100 times if he had to.
He might not be physicly present, but his memory lives with us on a daily basis. I tell stories about him to the girls and we have pictures throughout the house. Emma is old enough to understand a little bit, and when you ask her about who grandpa is she will answer Papi Mauro. In fact Emma has had several dreams with him, where she playes and spends time with him. She talks as if they have a very close relantionship.
I really miss my dad, specially during this time of the year. His birthday is November 25. I’m glad that eventhough he is not here, my girls are growing with him close to their heart.