You’re as old as you feel.

I have always lived with my grandparents. Only with them. Three in a house. For a long time they looked after me. Hour after hour. When they could have some rest in their lives, they used to woke up early to make me breakfast, pick me at lunch to eat homemade food and waited eternities for my gymnastics workout to end. Every day. Then I moved city to go to college and I already live in Lisbon far too long away from them. It’s been almost 14 years since I live here. Almost as many years as I lived in Loulé.

 

It was time to give back.

 

My grandfather for many years used to say that he had a great sorrow of never having gone to Azores. I thought that if it was not right now, in the future would be harder. So, I bought a trip to offer them in Christmas. I took advantage of the promotions of Ryanair. After spending money on the trip, they had to go. And it was like that 🙂 After 25 years without going in a plane, my grandfather was up for the challenge.

 

And thus, I had my first family vacation. Grandparents and granddaughters! At 30!

Tip # 1 – Choose a hotel with Lift

 

Very important. Unfortunately, the locomotion of my grandfather is deteriorating with each passing day. The most active person I knew, who would not stop a minute, hardly walks now. So it was very important to check if the hotel had a lift to minimize his effort.

 

Tip # 2 – Always have water and a package of cookies

 

When we are young we do not think a lot about these things. If we get hungry, we can starve. If there is no water, we drink later. In this case things can’t be like that. It is important to always have food and water in case of need.

 

Tip # 3 – Book restaurants

 

The younger ones can skip meals or eat later. When we are older, our bodies have routines. In addition we take medications. It is important to always take the medicines at the correct time. We need to know the medication of our grandparents and at what time should be taken.

 

Tip # 4 – Be vigilant

 

You always have to be careful. In the case of children we must beware because they do not they know what  are doing. In the case of older people they know what  are doing but they do not want believe they are no longer capable of certain things. I had to say many times to my grandparents not to go close to the edge, that the ground was slippery and that the suitcase was too heavy and that I should be the one to carry it. Always being watchful is important.

 

Tip # 5 – Give them lots of kisses and hugs

 

There is nothing better than the pampering of our grandparents. This is the best time to remind us all that they gave us and give them lots of kisses, hugs and show them how important they are to us. We live our lives in the everyday rush and sometimes we forget the most beloved people in our life.

Is there a cutest thing than this?

Esta publicação também está disponível em: Portuguese (Portugal)