We are living through difficult times that unexpectedly envelop us and affect us in an unknown way, no matter where you live. Our inexperience with understanding how to face this terrible virus keeps us in a strange situation that makes us rethink everything we have taken for granted until now. 

We are living through a global experience together that is affecting us tragically, but especially affects those who are more physically vulnerable.

Yes, I mean our elders. 

This moment in time reminds me of my dear grandmother, Damiana. She was a good, strong and generous lady who went through even harder experiences than the current ones and yet, she emerged victorious . How could she manage to survive the cruelty of a civil war, a distressing economic situation, pregnancies in difficult situations and successfully raise 4 precious daughters? 

My grandmother and her family lived in a hydroelectric power station next to a great river in the middle of a beautiful, green and wild valley of El Carpio (Spain) which was unfortunately riddled with bombs and bullets. My grandfather was absent all day repairing the power lines in the middle of the fields, desperately trying to avoid bullets from either side of the contenders while fulfilling his obligation to keep the country’s lights on.

My grandfather died when I was very young and unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy hearing about his experiences. In those difficult times, my grandmother assumed the combined role of mother and father for her children, and combined the roles of grandmother and grandfather for my brother and I.  

Through these words about the spirit of my grandmother Damiana, I also pay tribute to my dear grandfather, but I was lucky enough to be with my grandma for many years and to enjoy her wisdom and life lessons. 

I especially remember my grandmother with her hard-working spirit, working in her huge garden no matter the weather, every day without exception. Her spirit of sacrifice, her enormous will to excel and her discipline at work contrasted with the sweetness she showed while baking for us or telling stories to my brother and I about difficult youth, the war and our grandfather. Her attitude is an inspiration to me to overcome the difficult current times. 

I have thought many times what my grandmother would say if she had to experience these current circumstances, and whenever I think about it, I recall one of her famous stories from the war . She told me that all the communications were cut, supplies were exhausted and they had to remain in the shelter of the house for 10 days

During those critical days, my grandmother told me that she repeated the following phrase many times: 

"How lucky we are to have each other close and how brave we are for wanting to continue living." 

I think that phrase that she used to say to her daughters in those distant days would be the same phrase that she would say today. I think it contains a huge dose of love. And that is the true antidote to this despicable virus: love. I honestly think that this was her greatest lesson in life: if love is part of our daily routine, the good things will happen without us even having to think about it.

My grandmother was wise and I will always remember her with love and gratitude. Let's learn from our elders. They showed us the right way. Thank you grandma (and grandpa).