A Grandmother's Sage Advice

February 26, 2018

By Bridget Grella

I am writing this as my grandmother sleeps. She is 91 and the matriarch of our family. She taught me everything I know about retail therapy. And I am convinced the song. “Your a Native New Yorker” was written about her.  

I am simply not ready to say good bye. She has been in the hospital for two days going in and out of “A fib”. And I can’t help but think my Nani may be leaving us but there is still so many questions unanswered.

She has had a good life and with my favorite grandfather created a beautiful family. Nani has buried one daughter, as a mother I can’t imagine trudging on after something like that. But she did. My grandfather was the bill payer and the keeper of the keys. However Nani was quite independent and had a voice. They each managed their own check book. And both had careers. For me, that was normal and my life today mirrors a lot of what I saw while sleeping over on the weekends watching Lawrence Welk and eating Howard Johnson Mac and cheese.  I would find them dancing to Lawrence Welk often…they were very much in love.

I remember my Grandmother suggesting that my soon to be husband and I having separate bank accounts. I was shocked when she suggested it. I mean Nani I love him and what is mine is his. Boy do I wish I had listened to her. Time has a way of shining a light on your bad decisions.   I believe again I could have been wise to heed my grands advice.  I hope I get a little more time I still have so many questions and desperately need advice.  Especially now, that I am  beginning a new chapter. I am grateful for the time that I have had. I am thankful for each new day. But nothing will ever replace Nani’s sage advice.