i miss grandma
It's Chinese New Year so that means a gathering with my mother's family. Beyond the angpaos, I'm more than happy to meet my po po again. She's in her mid 70's, still very much her usual self, stern with her words and a cheery face. Ever since she took hearing aids, her hearing has gotten better, no longer needing to turn up insane volumes on her phone. It's really great to see her again.
I miss the days when she stayed over the house with me and my sister while my parents went out of town. I can't recall how old I was that time, I was either in elementary school or in middle school. Either way I had a lot of free time to play card magic tricks back then. With grandma staying over, I finally have someone to play with, a rare opportunity because everyone else is usually busy. It actually excites me to go back home from school because I can show her new tricks and teach her the tricks although she insists her memory isn't so great but I told her the fun is in the learning.
What's also great about grandma staying over is the fact that she used to be a chef. While she makes great dinner, I occasionally help her with technical issues. During dinner, she would talk about how strenuous cooking is or ask how the food tastes because she rarely eats her own dish. I remember one time she made us steak, it was so good I posted it on Instagram and my cousin got jealous in the comments haha. I do wished I could've did learn cooking from her though.
To say the least, her staying over was refreshing. Maybe I wouldn't say the same had I lived with her permanently but I don't know. What I loved from her temporary stay is this sense or feeling of courage that she instills in me. More than anyone even my parents. It's speculative I know but I can feel it. Maybe it's a grandma thing. Anyways I miss staying with grandma.