Mi Abuelo

My grandfather wasn't a man of many words but he didn't need to be because his actions said it all. He dedicated his life to his family, as simple as that.

Throughout my childhood he was always there and whatever his mood as soon as he saw one of his grandchildren his face would light up. No need for words to work out how much he loved us.

I have so many memories of him, silly little things... I remember looking out of the window at story time in Mrs de Maria's class and seeing him waiting quietly in the same spot everyday to take Vicki and I home. I remember playing Mr Wolf with his unused walking sticks. Playing cards on Friday night when I was staying over. He'd pick me up from swimming and buy me space invader crisps as a treat. Eating arctic roll for dessert. Watching Top of the Pops together. Dipping our biscuits into his coffee with Brandy (still love that taste!). His love of awful programmes "You've been framed", "Beadles about" and the classic "Last of the Summer Wine" all made him chuckle.  Opening the door to their house and being  greeted by the mouthwatering smell of his savoury pancakes. Pancakes stuffed with his special salsa of chicken, ham, garlic, onions, peppers and his magic ingredient - beer. Delicious and calorific! 

On holiday in his home village of Artana it became obvious my grandfather was a rebel at heart with a flair for fashion. He refused to dress in old, worn out suits like much of his generation. Instead he wore Levi jeans, Nike trainers, Fred Perry polo shirts and he shocked all his peers by wearing shorts around the village. He laughed at the gossip he created and we have all inherited his "I couldn't care less what you think" attitude but for the record he was not running a drug empire from deepest, darkest London!

Of course at the time I didn't appreciate all his amazing qualities as a person, he was just "mi abuelo" who was always there for me.  Now as an adult I can see he was incredibly hard working, loyal, honest, God fearing, kind, fearless, determined, wise, brave, strong, careful, reliable, a man of honour, a man of his word. But most importantly he and my grandmother worked hard to instill in their daughters the importance of family, they laid the strong foundations that we still carry around  with us today. And thanks to my grandfather we all know actions speak louder than words. Thank you abuelo.