Grandfather: My Hero in The Past, Present and Future

When I think back to the days when I was younger , I think about all of my wonderful childhood memories. Often I wish I could go back, back to that point in life when everything seemed simpler. Sometimes I think about it too much, knowing I cannot return. Looking back at my childhood and the people that made the greatest impact in my life, my parents, grandparents and siblings come to mind. Each family member has contributed in their own way, making me a better person every day. When I count my blessings, I count my family twice.

Nowadays we have many heroes. They can be anyone, from a TV star to a relative. By 'hero' I do not mean a person with powers, I mean a person who inspires you and motivates you to become a better person. We may know them or not, each one of us follows the example of other people. For me, 'hero' is the word that describes wisdom, kindness, bravery and tolerance. My hero is my grandfather, he is a truly admirable person who, not only inspires me, but also amazes me every day.

Reflecting on the 2020 year, many events come to mind, be it the Black Lives Matter Movement, the death of Kobe Bryant, or the COVID 19 pandemic; each person on this earth has dealt with hardships and loss. For me, 2020 is another chapter in the book which we call life. In April 2020, my grandfather was admitted into hospital because of a minor infection, which later resulted in him having COVID 19. For 15 weeks he was in the Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator, fighting for his life. My “Pappa” is a warrior, no matter what challenge or obstacle stands in front of him, he perseveres through so that he can teach his children and grandchildren valuable life lessons. He always says that “sometimes painful situations can teach lessons that we did not think we needed to know.” It amazes me that a family can be represented perfectly by the tree of life. Our grandparents are our roots that support us at the base underground; though they are hidden underground, our existence without them is impossible. Just like there cannot be a present without the past, so too, us youth would not be here if it weren’t for our grandparents.

As Princess Diana said: “A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.”

To me, a mother’s love for her child is the epitome of selfless love and devotion. From the moment the child arrives into the world, a mother has an instinctive understanding of her newborn’s needs. This continues, as the years pass and the child becomes an adult, with little or no expectation of anything in return. Some might even say that a mother’s job is never ending and the most unrewarded in the world. My mother is the best mother for whom one could ever wish. Her beautiful hazel eyes and brown hair, as well as her confident and generous nature radiates a sense of strength. It is safe to say that my mom gets her strength from my grandfather. She always has a smile on her face, helping others and looking for the light in every situation. When I look back on my upbringing, as well as the person who I am today, I feel grateful to have had such influential people in it.

Throughout my life I have realised that through every hard day, there are signs from love ones that can cheer you up and put a smile on your face. Often when I am in a bad head space and am having a hard day, I see a lizard which makes me reflect on my late father. Since he has passed, lizards have significance to our family. We believe that when we see a lizard, that our dad is watching over us and reminds us to reflect on the good times that we shared. Lizards symbolism is said to show you that there are powers of survival that are untapped within you. Just like when the lizard loses its tail during battle, you should also learn to surrender what no longer works for you so that you can be open to the regenerative energies of life.

In life all of us need a hero, need someone to inspire us and guide us to the right path. So, if you have the opportunity to talk to your hero or you have him in your everyday life, living and breathing beside you, you should appreciate him and listen to his advice. We all should love and cherish our families, because they are truly and entirely devoted to us and they will never harm us. We must remember choose our heroes right; they should be a good example and should guide you to the right path. No matter the chapter of life that I may be in, I can reflect and remember that my grandfather was my hero in the past, is in the present and will always be the future.