Learning from my Grandmother

The most important lesson my grandmother taught me is one I'm still learning--the art of unconditional love. In these days and times of pop psychobabble unconditional love is often confused with codependency. People who do not want to be labelled codependent often fall into the trap only giving love if certain conditions are met. Such conditional love is not love at all and leaves someone with an inner void that cannot be fulfilled no matter which deoderant we buy or haircare product we use.

My Grandmother mastered the art of unconditional love--at least for me. I was a troubled young woman for reasons I'd rather not get into right now and she loved me anyway. She didn't get angry or frustrated with me that I could not love myself unconditionally. Her message was that she would love me without reservation. It was and is because of her that I learned to value myself enough to begin living my potential. If I made a mistake or even failed, I always knew she would love me anyway. It inspired me to see what she actually saw in me that was so worthwhile because, believe me, at one time it was a total and complete mystery to me. Now, so many years later, I begin to see in myself what she saw in me and I know I would not be where I am or even who I am without her.

I am now half my Grandmother's age. I hope I have also achieved half of her wisdom and loving spirit. I also hope that I can, one day, give the love she gave me to someone else so that he or she can also be inspired to love him or herself unconditionally.