It is so difficult to put into words how incredible a human Winnie Silver, my grandmother was. My grandmother was the kind of person that would give the clothes off of her back to anyone. Regardless if she agreed with them, liked them, or even knew them. If she saw anyone who needed help, she jumped in without a second thought. She lived every single day spreading kindness and generosity to those around her. I lost my rock, world, confidant, and bestfriend on March 17th, 2024- my grandma. I was a Sophomore in college, just trying to find my place when my worst nightmare came true. I lost her at an already fragile point in my life- she was one of four family members death's within just three months. I wanted to write about the type of person my Grandmother was, because she was nothing short of absolutely amazing. She would show her family off to her neighbors, always laugh at a new friends joke, and check up on family and friends constantly asking “what’s happening?” because she wanted to know every detail she could about what was going on in our lives. I have lived in Upstate New York and have for the last decade, and my Grandma lived in Delaware. It was always hard living far from my grandma, but we made an effort to see her as often as we could. However, I now go to the University of Delaware and am in my fourth year. University of Delaware was the best decision for me academically, socially, and otherwise- I have enjoyed my time in college so much. However, the best gift that choosing to go to University of Delaware brought me was the ability to spend so much extra time with my grandmother. I got to see her more often than I ever had been able to, and having her be just a twenty five minute drive away as opposed to hours really meant everything to me. In her final few months, I really tried to get to know new details and stories I didn’t know before about her because she spent so many years learning all about us. Some things I learned was that when she met my grandpa she just “knew” that he was it for her, and she loved humming along to Frank Sinatra. My grandmother made it clear to each and everyone of her children, grandchildren, and her great grand daughter how proud she was of each and everyone of us. Whether she heard where we were attending college, we ended the semester with good grades, we had a good sports season, we made a new friend, and everything in between, she always would be beaming with pride when hearing our accomplishments both big and small. I truly am the luckiest girl alive to have been able to call her my grandma- and I mean it. My Grandma was truly the glue that held our entire family together. Being the oldest of 8 siblings, the mother to 3, grandmother to 6 and great grandmother to 1, with countless nieces, nephews, and cousins, she was someone anyone knew they could go to for anything. She was always there to listen, and never gave any judgement. After experiencing this loss, I have learned to truly live life to the fullest. I try to take advantage of any new opportunities, and my work ethic has only improved since losing her- just because she is gone doesn't mean I still can't try to make her proud.

The dream version of my future self is a confident, ambitious, determined, and kind person who is always willing to do the right thing even when it is not easy.

On May 30th, 2017, my world stopped. My grandfather, who was my best friend, confident, and source of laughter and fun, passed away. It all happened so quickly. One day he was healthy, and the next he was in the hospital and given two options- a feeding tube for the rest of his life, or hospice care. He chose hospice. At 87 years old, I understood wanting to pass away at peace, and not wanting to live out the rest of his days having a poor quality of life. My grandpa was an incredibly inspiring man. He attended the University of Delaware in hopes of becoming an accountant. However, tragically his father passed away right when he graduated, which meant his family's dry cleaning business needed someone to take it over. As the oldest, he selflessly decided to put aside his dreams and take over the business. He ended up running the dry cleaning store until his retirement, and I heard many stories about just how great he was at his job, and how great of a father he was to my mom. He never had it easy- he grew up without a lot of money, was the first in his family to attend college, and had to deal with immense loss himself. My grandmother passed away of breast cancer before I was born after a difficult fight- all at my grandfather's side. My grandpa showed me how to be strong even through hard things. Before his death, he survived prostate cancer, open heart surgery, multiple heart attacks, a stroke, and falls. Seeing him time and time again beat the odds of survival inspired me to keep going. It has taught me to never give up, even in seemingly impossible situations. Currently, I am going into my sophomore year of college. And, it makes me happy to announce that I am following in his footsteps and attending the University of Delaware. Whenever I step foot on campus, I like to imagine my grandfather walking the same paths as me, attending classes in the same lecture halls, and studying in the same library. Whenever I am at school, I feel like I still have a piece of him with me. Choosing to persevere and finish High School, and now attend college was not easy without him. There were many milestones I experienced (and still experience) that I wish he could have been there for. Graduating with honors, college acceptances, making the dean's list, holding executive board positions in clubs, and making the Varsity tennis team. However, what makes me continue to push forward in my academic career is inspired by him completely. I continue my education because I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to do so when he did not. Although he received a college education, he was not able to pursue his dreams in his career. I am a fashion merchandising and management major, and I dream of having a job in styling, public relations, or marketing after I graduate. I want to complete my education, pursue my dreams, and make him proud, wherever he is.