Today I will be writing a tribute to my Grandpa. When people ask me who I’m grateful for I would automatically say my parents. They have done so much for me especially letting me go to Catholic school all my life. But if I thought about it more I would say my grandpa. I remember ever since I was little I thought we had the same birthday until I was about 8 or 9. Celebrating birthdays together, watching tv and talking on the phone. Thats what best friends do and my grandpa was my best friend.
My Grandpa came to Illinois from Guatemala. He then met my grandma. From stories, at first I don’t think they liked each other but then they fell in love. They then had 3 children. My aunt Monica, My uncle Jr and my mom Karla. My aunt had her son Angel and then a daughter named Alexis. Then my mom had me and my aunt a year later had my cousin Aidan.
After school I would go to my grandparents house everyday and my mom would pick me up then drop me off so he could take me to school. I remember when he would pick me up always parked on the side in his big green van or his tiny red car. He would be playing music on his phone and telling me that there is no other English good bands that Bee Gees was probably one of the only exceptions.
My parents would work late and where they worked was far so I would sleepover a lot. I remember I would stay up really late with my grandpa and watch a bunch of crime shows. I actually thank him a lot because I watched those shows now I want to be criminal investigator.
Unfortunately, my grandpa passed away January 12, 2021 due to Covid-19. Its very hard having him gone knowing that I will never see him again. That my best friend is gone. I know he is in a better place and I have had a great time with him for 14 years of my life. I just wish it didn’t happen so soon. So my advice to people is to truly cherish every moment with your family.
Anabel Larios, Nazareth High School, DMSF
Image credit: Larios family