I am 28 years old today and I got married last month. When starting my new life, I came across new people, new routines, and new bodily changes. While dealing with these new things, I remembered the little things my grandparents had instilled in me or taught me since childhood. From being patient when dealing with people to home remedies when I fell sick. And most important of all, inculcating spirituality in me helped me a lot during difficult times. While growing up though, like most children, I had my apprehensions and anxieties about people.

However, as a teenager, I used to sometimes feel irritated when they advised me constantly about certain things. But when I look back, at every piece of advice I used to get irritated with or every time I turned a deaf ear to whatever they said, I now realize what a huge mistake it was!

But I am eternally grateful for all the time I have spent with them and all the advice I have received from their wisdom over all these years.

Today, when I see my father-in-law lovingly feeding my niece or sacrificing his sleep because she wants to play with him, I now realize how my grandparents used to feel while spending time with me.

Though I have had the privilege of spending time with them and learning about my culture, food, heritage, and overall life I wish I would somehow just get a little time more with them.

I strongly feel children in nuclear families miss out on all the wonderful stories, age-old pearls of wisdom, and little nitty gritty that dada-dadi and nana-nani have to offer!