Danielle Perez | THE RIDER
When I was younger, I used to always say I couldn’t wait to grow up, that I couldn’t wait to do my own things and live my own life. Little did I know life was going to be this way and now I say I wish I could go back and live those moments again.
About a year ago, my grandmother was diagnosed with dementia and all I have to say is, it sucks.
I grew up only having my mom and grandmother by my side, and Grandma was my best friend. Weekends, holidays and even random days, I would spend with her. We would go downtown and to pawn shops so she could buy me DS games, the raspa stand where she would buy a mango raspa, even though it gave her a really bad cough since she was sensitive to the cold. Those were the days, and I wish I could go back to see her laugh, smile or even talk again.
It’s been about two to three months now and my grandma believes I am her nurse since I am her caregiver. It breaks my heart every time, but I know her heart knows when she looks into my eyes.
She is still my best friend, and no one will take that away from us. Every day, I walk into her room hoping she might just remember me, even if it’s just for a second. It wouldn’t matter because time is precious. Very precious.
One day you’re taking the city bus with your grandmother to Walmart and the next you’re showing her photos trying to help her remember all the wonderful memories you both spent together.
I am grateful and blessed to be here for her. It may be tough, physically and mentally, but I am here with her every second of the way. She helped me become such an independent, amazing woman, so now it’s time to repay her.
A word of advice to readers: Take in every moment of every day with your loved ones because in a snap of fingers, it could all just disappear. My grandmother has no memory of anything. It’s crazy how a sickness could affect you in all areas. But I have my memories of her, and I will cherish them forever, keeping her personality alive.
Being a 20-year-old, going to college, working, mother of three pets, and being a caregiver to my grandmother, I know she would be proud. Recently, I told her I finally learned how to drive and that I bought my first car. She didn’t react the way she would have initially, but I know she would have been proud if I told her this a year ago.
I thought I’d take this time to share some part of my personal life so I could remind everyone to take care of their grandparents. They are angels, and they will show us the way. They have lived life longer than we have and, trust me when I say this, let them know how much they mean to you before it’s too late because time is precious.
