Blessings in disguise

I think most people would agree that it's easy to forget about all the blessings we have in our lives, even the simplest of things--breathing, having a home, a family, food to eat. These are some of the things that we often overlook and take for granted. But not my grandma.

My grandma came to the states for my cousin's wedding about a month ago and has now decided to live with us permanently. I had very mixed feelings about this. On one hand I was excited to see her and spend time with her but on the other hand, she was going to be another human being living in our old, cramped up apartment. But her being here hasn't been too bad. It's actually worked out for the better.

I mean, yea, it's a little annoying when she wakes me up at 7 in the morning on the weekends or constantly nags me to bundle up so I don't get a cold (even though it hasn't been that cold yet) but she's been an encouragement to me in more ways than I thought. I've been able to spend a lot of time talking and hanging out with her although that doesn't really consist of much. Usually, we'll pop in a Korean drama or flip through some old photo albums so that we can reminisce on the good ol' days. But since she can't do much outside of the house all she does is mope around and clean all day or sit on her bed and stare off into space. My parents and I always tell her that she doesn't need to clean or need to tend to every one of our needs--although I have to admit, the house has never been cleaner--but to her, this is her way of expressing her gratitude to us.

Ever since she got here, I've never heard her complain or get angry or frustrated at anything. She's always so grateful for everything in her life. When we're sitting down for a meal, she reminisces back on the days when it was so hard to get a bite to eat and then thanks God for every kernel of rice that's on her plate. At night before she goes to bed, she thanks God for keeping her healthy and for giving her another day to live. And then the next morning, when she wakes up, she makes her bed and again thanks God for waking her up and blessing her with a new day to live. At 82 years old, you can't help but to be grateful and value every single minute that passes by. There isn't one gray cloud in her world.

Some of you know that things have been kinda rough for me the past couple of months and I thank you for your prayers because God answered them by blessing me with my grandma. I know it was a divine intervention when God sent her to me to remind me to have a positive outlook on life and a grateful heart for the things that I take for granted. So thank you and thank you grandma!!