Little Inklings 2024

2017, I’m in the 1st/2nd grade, and I get picked up by an old- school Grandma, as she pulls up in her brand new car. Yup, that was my crazy awesome grandma. I get into her car and she hands me a container of rice, beans, and cucumber with some salt and vinegar. Her unasked care for me let me know that Grandma was home. I was able to ask my Grandma anything during our car rides. One time I asked,” ΥιαΥια, do you think about death.” She answered, “Aleko, 90 I will die.” In my mind at the time, 90 was one of the biggest numbers, so I felt relieved in believing, “Oh ok, Grandma’s going to live forever. We get home, and instantly BAM! Grandma’s Fresh Greek Cookies straight out of the oven. She puts her stuff down, Gets into one of her funny aprons and asks, “Θελεις μακαρονια μαι κημα?” My head nodded instinctively. When it comes to grandma’s pasta and meat sauce my body thinks on its own. But things like that let me know that Grandma was home. “Δαρι, δαρι, δαρι, δαρι!” Grandma always loved her Greek music. But what reminds her the most is her weird obsession with Madonna. But music like that let me know that Grandma was home. I left to use the restroom, but then again, BAM! “Grandma was here,” I thought to myself. Her perfume will smack you in the face with a million roses. But moments like those let me know that Grandma was home. Again, BAM! April 20th, 2021. No scent this time, just confusion. It was so fast, less than a month into her diagnosis, and Snap, that was it. The last time I saw her was my 11th birthday as if she planned her passing just so that she could celebrateme. With a bit of her ashes ocean-free, a bit in the Boston green, and the final bit in the backyard under our lemon tree I can simply go outside and BAM! Grandma’s Home. ODE TO GRANDMA By: Aleko Katsoufis ’28 100