I got this question from the Imagination Prompt Generator (check it out!)
Who do you miss the most from your past?

The person I miss the most from my past is my Grandmother Veronica.  She passed away when I was 20 years old (two weeks shy of my 21st birthday.)  I had just returned from studying abroad in Cork, Ireland where my grandmother’s family is originally from.  When I returned to the States, I was excited to start learning more and reconnecting with my family.

I was on a Fourth of July trip with my family when my grandmother became sick and had to be hospitalized.  She passed away within days.  What followed was a very difficult period of my life but during that time I decided to do a M.A. in American History.

My grandmother Veronica encouraged my love of history: American history, Irish history, and our family history.  She always made sure I knew what our family did to help establish the town that she, my grandfather, my fathers and aunts grew up in.  It wasn’t an ownership pride but the type of pride in knowing that you and your ancestors are part of a much larger picture than the present.

I’m sad when I think that my grandmother didn’t see me graduate from college or receive my M.A.  I wish she was there when I called my grandpa to tell him when I was engaged.  I wish she was there for my wedding shower that we had in the house she was born in.  And I wish she could have seen her son walk me down the aisle at my wedding.

But nothing replaces the love of history that she encouraged.