Sometimes life works in mysterious ways. Sometimes it can be cruel.
Sometimes it rewards those who don't deserve it, and punish those who do.
And sometimes it does things you don't expect, things that come out of the blue.
Mum experienced this first-hand, and now is Grandma, because Grandpa Romeo has passed away.
We got the call early in the morning from Grandma, who was in sobs of tears. Instantly Mum broke down too, and soon we were all crying.
After a while though it began to sink in. And it didn't seem so bad when you put it into perspective. Grandpa had a long life, doing what he loved with the most he loved. And he died happily and peacefully, and that was what mattered.
Grandma still couldn't accept the fact that her lifelong love had died though, and Mum and Dad made the decision to move her into our house, so she wouldn't be alone anymore.
We quickly arranged Grandpa's funeral, full of beautiful tributes and the sound of his music (which set us all off again) but at least he was at rest now.
Meanwhile not much was going on my life. It was basically class after class, exam after exam. Fawning after someone I couldn't have, then expressing my sadness through my dance afterwards.
Life had gotten boring to put it frankly. I was stuck in a rut. I willed for something to happen, to make me feel more alive.
Then something happened a couple of months later that definately made me feel more alive, albeit in a bad way.
I was with Grandma after school one day, just sitting and watching our favourite soap Twinbrook Heights.
However I had drifted away from the programme, as I started to think about Luke and the mess I was in.
Grandma must have noticed this sadness for she said to me,
"What's up chuck?"
I was surprised she had noticed anything because I am very good at hiding my feelings most of the time. But then again, Grandma was always so empathic.
"Nothing Grandma." I replied in a monotone voice, hoping it would mask my feelings.
"No, it isn't nothing sweetie. I can read you like a book. What's the matter, you know you can tell me."
I let out a huge sigh. What did I have to lose?
I started to explain everything, from the first moment I saw Luke to when I saw him with his girlfriend.
Everything just came flowing out like a volcano. Once I had started I found it hard to stop.
Grandma just sat there patiently and listened to every word I said, nodding at my statements at just the right times.
(That's what I love about Grandma - she will actually listen to things I say, unlike Mum who is too busy running around, phone on her ear, trying to arrange a meeting about something boring, like shares!)
Grandma then wrapped me into a hug. "Aw darling. If I've learnt something in my entire life, it would be that, although at times it may seem impossible, love ALWAYS finds a way. Sometimes you may not think it, but it WILL.
And you know what? If you really want this Luke boy, go and get him! Nothing will happen if you just sit and wait for it to. Okay?"
"But..." my voice faltered.
"You may not think you are strong enough to do this, but you are. Underneath that vulnerable exterior there is a strong girl, who can do anything she wants to if she tries hard enough."
By then she had reduced me to tears, and I just sat there in her arms. "Thank you Grandma. I love you." I whispered.
"Anytime darling. And I love you more." She whispered into my hair.
I then went off to the bathroom to tidy myself up, but when I came back I saw the worst thing. Grandma had passed away, right there.
I broke down uncontrollably, before I saw sense and called an ambulance.
The worst moments of my entire life.
Although I hate to admit it, Grandma's death affected me much more than Grandpa's did. To have that heart to heart just before Grandma died was... bittersweet.
Her words were going to stick with me forever.
They made me realise that life was way too short to sit around waiting for something to happen. I had to make it happen.
I was going to go out and GET Luke, no matter what was standing in my way.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
No joke, I was actually crying when I wrote that heart to heart between Issy and Violet.
I'm going to miss Vi so much! :'(
