The Woman Who Believed in Me When I Couldn't: A Tribute to My Abuelita and All Grandparents Who Shape Our Lives

I’ve hesitated a lot before writing this and sharing it openly. But my “abuelita” is the reason I am who I am—she shaped my resilience and my values.

This past week, I lost my grandmother—my abuelita.

It’s hard to find the right words, because she wasn’t just a grandmother. She was my rock, my mentor, my protector, and a fierce example of what it means to be strong and selfless. Alongside my mother, she helped mold the person I am today.

Born in a small village in ávila, Spain, my grandmother was the embodiment of strength and sacrifice. In the 1950s, she and my grandfather made the courageous decision to leave everything behind and move to the Basque Country with two small children in tow. They were seeking a better life, more opportunity, and a future brighter than the hardships they’d left behind. They arrived with little more than hope and determination, and from that, they built our family’s future.

My grandmother never complained about the sacrifices she made. If anything, she downplayed them, always making it seem as though what she did was nothing extraordinary. But she was extraordinary. I’ll always remember when I was born—she needed surgery to remove a kidney, but she didn’t want to “bother” anyone with it. So, she went to the hospital alone. My grandfather had to work, and in her eyes, there was no need to trouble anyone else. That was her. Quietly strong, never wanting to burden others with what she considered her “little problems.”

Her heart was even bigger than her strength. In the tough economic times of the 80s and 90s, when my parents lost their jobs, my grandparents insisted that I continue my studies, even if it meant they had to stretch themselves thin. Thanks to them, I had the opportunity to attend a private university, something that felt impossible at the time. They didn’t just support me financially—they believed in me with all their hearts.

I will never be able to thank her enough for her unwavering support, for her determination to believe in my abilities—when I could barely even sense them myself. Her belief in me gave me the strength to pursue a future I never thought I could have.

Summers with her in ávila hold some of my most cherished memories. She taught me practical skills, like how to sew and knit, but the real lessons were about life. She reminded me again and again that life is tough, but I am tougher. Those lessons are with me every day.

I’ll always remember her soft hands as she held mine, her quick wit, and her ability to recall every detail of our family’s history, even as she approached 99 years old. But her greatest joy was family. She loved nothing more than gathering us all around the table, watching us eat, laugh, and enjoy being together. That was her happiness—seeing her family united.

Her passing was peaceful. In just four short hours, surrounded by her children in her own home, she slipped away quietly. She didn’t suffer, and she wasn’t aware that the end had come. Knowing that she was at peace and with her loved ones brings me comfort, but her loss has left a profound emptiness in my life.

She was my North, my South, my East, and my West. My constant. The one who made everything feel steady, no matter how hard life got. The void she leaves behind is vast, but the memories and the values she instilled in me are even greater. Her strength, resilience, selflessness, and love for family are woven into who I am, and I’ll carry them with me always.

Though her hands can no longer hold mine, I feel her with me every day. In every choice I make, in every challenge I face, her spirit guides me.

As a colleague of mine said, and I am infinitely grateful for his words: “ I’m so sorry, Elena. She lived an incredible life. Now, your grandmother will live through you, and you will be her worthy heir. And that’s the greatest tribute you can give her.” Thanks a lot

To everyone reading this, I encourage you: don’t put off spending quality time with your loved ones. There will always be work, there will always be projects—but your family, the moments you share together, those are irreplaceable. Life is fleeting, and it’s in these moments with those we love that we find our true purpose. Cherish every one of them. ??

This post is not only a tribute to my abuelita, but to all the grandmothers and grandfathers who have shaped our lives in ways we can never fully express.

Thank you to everyone for your messages of love and support during this difficult time. It means more than I can say. ??

I will honor you every day, abuelita. I’m the most like you in my love for scarves and brooches… it’s funny how that always connected us. I love you. Watch over me.

Rest in peace, abuelita. You will forever be my guiding star. ??

How do you all handle grief and loss? I’d love to hear how others cope with the passing of someone who meant the world to them.

#Resilience #FamilyFirst #LegacyOfLove #GriefAndHealing #StrongerTogether #ThankYouAbuelita