My grandmother was 84 years old when I was born. That’s not your typical “becoming a grandmother” age, but, regardless, I’ve had the pleasure of having her in my life all these years. Not that long ago I went to visit my 101-year-old grandmother in a nursing home. She was only there temporarily, being that she had just gotten transferred out of the hospital. She had been in the hospital sick with pneumonia, and somehow at the age of 101 she was able to fight it and come out stronger on the other end. She was sitting up in bed, carrying on a lively conversation with me and my dad, like she was never sick in the first place. I was amazed, telling my dad that I could not believe her strength and resilience. But really, I wasn’t the least bit surprised. She has always been so incredibly strong. For the past 18 years, I’ve known this amazing woman. She’s someone who has never let anything keep her down, whether it be pneumonia or any other stumbling block, she has always persevered with strength. As an old, strong-headed, stubborn Italian woman, she has definitely proved to have a trying personality at times, but that doesn’t change the fact that she is someone who has given me her wisdom, and her love and devotion, and she is someone who I aspire to be. She is the strongest person I know.

Up until the age of 100, my grandmother was in excellent health. It was a miracle to watch her going about as if she was 60 years old, still up and walking, adequately taking care of herself, even dancing at family events. I always admired how independent she was, how she never accepted help from anyone, because she could always manage on her own. Now, at the age of 101 she has become more dependable. She can no longer take care of herself and she requires 24 hour around the clock care. It’s sad for me to see her slowly deteriorating, depending on others, because my whole life I’ve been used to a different version of her. A version that was always so head strong and independent with an abundance of energy. Even so, she is still so strong. She gets up every day and goes on. Even on her hardest days, when it seems like we could be losing her, she proves us wrong. Her strength keeps her going. I talk to her on the phone as often as I can and I can hear in her voice how tired she is, yet the sound of her laugh and the upbeat tone in her voice drowns out the tiredness. She puts aside the fatigue and just talks to me like it’s any other day. Her body physically might be weak, but her spirit is still so full of life.

Nearing the end of my grandmother’s life, I’m now taking all these conversations and moments I spend with her to heart. I value every second just a little bit more, appreciating every little piece of wisdom she has to share, no matter how discrete. I often think of every wonderful time we’ve had together, each time she’s made me laugh or smile. After she’s gone, I will remember these things even more. I’ll think of a funny story about her and sit around with my family and friends laughing about it. Watching my grandmother at this stage of her life is making me realize how precious life is, and how I wish I could just capture all the moments spent with her so that after she’s gone I can look back on them all and remember all the wonderful things about her. “Nina, I’ve been on this planet a long time,” she’d say each time I questioned her advice. I am so thankful for every piece of advice and wisdom she’s imparted on me and all these years I’ve watched and admired this incredibly strong woman who has lived a long and full life. She is an inspiration to me and she’ll always be the strongest, and I’d say the wisest, person I know.