My grandfather passed away passed away a couple years ago but the memories that I have of him still live. They especially live in photos. I interviewed my grandmother who was closet to my grandfather. Here were her answers.
Q: When did you realize that my grandfather was the one you were going to spend the rest of your life with?
A: We fell in love the moment we laid eyes on each other. Well at least he did. We were both attractive young kids who wanted adventure in our lives so I think that’s when I realized that he was the one. I always wanted a romantic love story.
Q: You got married and had your first out of eight children pretty young. Did you and my grandfather always want a big family?
A: Your grandfather and I always wanted a huge family because we never had one growing up. Your grandfather always moved around and I was adopted. We both wanted a family of our own to love and cherish.
Q: What was my grandfather’s proudest moment?
A: He had many proud moments because he had so many kids and grandkids. He was proud of you when you first learned how to ride your bike and proud of our first son when he got married. He had so many proud moments. I can’t even keep count!
Q: My grandfather had such a kind soul. What is something that everyone always remembers him by?
A: Everyone always remembers him because he had a big heart. He loved helping others and learning from his mistakes and someone else ’s. He would always put other’s first. He was never selfish.
Q: What was one of your favorite hobbies to do with him?
A: We always liked to go to the country club and watch the kids swim in the pool and run around the grass. Your grandfather would always go golfing and I would take care of the kids. I would always bring my camera and take pictures of everyone with a smile on their faces. We always had fun and that made us the happiest parents in the world.
Q: Out of all the things you learned from your kids, which was the most valuable?
A: We learned to always love. We learned that is was okay to mess up and not want to grow up. Kids will be kids and we had to cherish every waking moment with them because sooner or later they all leave you.
Q: What are my grandfather’s expectations for his grandchildren?
A: He wanted you to go to school and receive higher education. He wanted all of you to fall in love someone you care deeply about. He wanted you to succeed in a career you’re passionate about and not need to rely on someone else.
Q: Did you ever want to leave Mexico and spontaneously live in another country and live another life?
A: No we didn’t. We loved to travel but we loved our community more. All of my kids grew up there and we didn’t want them to live another life because they lived a great life. Your grandfather worked so hard to get us every thing we wanted.
Q: What was one thing that you both loved watching me do?
A: Oh! There were so many things you used to do as a kid. You were so funny so we loved hearing your jokes. We loved going to your dance recitals and see you do something you were passionate about. What we loved most about you was that you never gave up. You would always stand just back up and continue whatever you needed to accomplish.
Q: What were your emotions when you found out my grandfather was dying and how did he feel?
A: I honestly dropped to the floor. I was speechless and couldn’t speak. Surprisingly, your grandfather was totally ok. We accepted it. He knew that he had only a certain amount of time to live so he lived his life. I hated every minute of it but I couldn’t say anything or show it. I was strong because he was strong. He was always strong.
A: We fell in love the moment we laid eyes on each other. Well at least he did. We were both attractive young kids who wanted adventure in our lives so I think that’s when I realized that he was the one. I always wanted a romantic love story.
Q: You got married and had your first out of eight children pretty young. Did you and my grandfather always want a big family?
A: Your grandfather and I always wanted a huge family because we never had one growing up. Your grandfather always moved around and I was adopted. We both wanted a family of our own to love and cherish.
Q: What was my grandfather’s proudest moment?
A: He had many proud moments because he had so many kids and grandkids. He was proud of you when you first learned how to ride your bike and proud of our first son when he got married. He had so many proud moments. I can’t even keep count!
Q: My grandfather had such a kind soul. What is something that everyone always remembers him by?
A: Everyone always remembers him because he had a big heart. He loved helping others and learning from his mistakes and someone else ’s. He would always put other’s first. He was never selfish.
Q: What was one of your favorite hobbies to do with him?
A: We always liked to go to the country club and watch the kids swim in the pool and run around the grass. Your grandfather would always go golfing and I would take care of the kids. I would always bring my camera and take pictures of everyone with a smile on their faces. We always had fun and that made us the happiest parents in the world.
Q: Out of all the things you learned from your kids, which was the most valuable?
A: We learned to always love. We learned that is was okay to mess up and not want to grow up. Kids will be kids and we had to cherish every waking moment with them because sooner or later they all leave you.
Q: What are my grandfather’s expectations for his grandchildren?
A: He wanted you to go to school and receive higher education. He wanted all of you to fall in love someone you care deeply about. He wanted you to succeed in a career you’re passionate about and not need to rely on someone else.
Q: Did you ever want to leave Mexico and spontaneously live in another country and live another life?
A: No we didn’t. We loved to travel but we loved our community more. All of my kids grew up there and we didn’t want them to live another life because they lived a great life. Your grandfather worked so hard to get us every thing we wanted.
Q: What was one thing that you both loved watching me do?
A: Oh! There were so many things you used to do as a kid. You were so funny so we loved hearing your jokes. We loved going to your dance recitals and see you do something you were passionate about. What we loved most about you was that you never gave up. You would always stand just back up and continue whatever you needed to accomplish.
Q: What were your emotions when you found out my grandfather was dying and how did he feel?
A: I honestly dropped to the floor. I was speechless and couldn’t speak. Surprisingly, your grandfather was totally ok. We accepted it. He knew that he had only a certain amount of time to live so he lived his life. I hated every minute of it but I couldn’t say anything or show it. I was strong because he was strong. He was always strong.
Paulina Negrete is currently attending California State Northridge and is majoring in Journalism. She loves playing the guitar and snowboarding.