Love. Loss. I would say that a large part of what makes life worth living is to love, yet love inevitably comes with loss at some point. Interestingly, I've recently seen a few pieces online about living life such that you have an impact on others, that impact being a measure of how you lived your life. I've enjoyed reading them because I've thought a lot these past few years about how my most meaningful moments have been where I have positively impacted others. So as I embark on my own journey in life, I try to prioritize the experiences that will foster moments of love and happiness.
Take a listen
This piece centers around a song very close to my heart by an alt-pop artist who shocked me with such a gut-wrenchingly emotional song. To love is to lose, and through loss we may uncover more of our love.
Remembering BB
This song resonated with me from the very start because of my own relationship with my grandma who passed almost 10 years ago now, on October 6 of 2016. We affectionately referred to her as BB, derived from her name Barbara. She was an incredible person - incomparably compassionate, a teacher and nurturer who used her time as lieutenant governor of PEI to form initiatives like hosting international students and promoting music on the island, and someone who always sought to understand and connect with others. I was only 13 when she passed, and Ginger Tea stirred emotions and feelings I hadn't even realize were buried all these years.
Have you ever wondered how people are truly impacted by your presence in their life? I don't think most of us realize the profound connections made simply by showing others that we care. I always knew my grandma to be kind and smiling. She would talk in a soft voice as she taught us the piano and then sung to us. After she passed, I learned just how far that kindness of hers reached. People could tell that she genuinely wished for their happiness, and seeing all corners of the island come together to mourn, it was clear that she had touched many people's hearts with that kindness.
What really matters
Listening to Ginger Tea also made me think about the little moments.
"I wonder what it would be like
To feel your proud eyes
When I make the recipe right"
I fondly remember one day when BB taught us how to make her famous pies. I was too young to even remember the instructions now, but the happiness from that day has stayed with me since. I've gotten into cooking since university started, and I can't help but wonder what it would be like to learn more from her now. I'd like to think that I got my love for teaching from her, where I enjoy helping others learn and seeing them improve. I can only hope that my efforts will have a similarly positive impact on those around me.
Showing gratitude
This also makes me think about the importance of gratitude. I genuinely believe it is so so important to let those close to us know how precious they are. Maybe I'm just someone who likes more direct communication, but I feel there can be a lot of emotion that goes unsaid. As I've tried telling people I love how grateful I am - for them, their actions, or anything else - I think it has gone a long way in deepening those bonds. And just like BB taught me, part of showing that we care is conveying our gratitude.
Honestly, this is a topic I would normally journal for myself. I think I wanted to try something different here, both out of pride for my incredible grandma and in the hopes that someone may be positively impacted by the lessons I've learned and hope to share.
I cried while writing this. I cried while thinking of my wonderful grandma who is no longer with us yet rests forever in our hearts. Her life was one that brought joy to so many others, and it is one of my greatest wishes to live a life that would make her proud.