Im 25, and for the past couple of months, Ive been living with my gran. My aunther only living daughterpassed away suddenly two months ago. Until then, Gran and Aunt Margaret shared a home. They shared their little routines, their quiet moments, just the two of them. I used to visit often, but each of us had our own separate lives. Everything changed in a split second when Gran found herself alone.
Loss isnt a stranger to me. I lost my mum when I was 19, so Ive got used to walking around with this sort of everyday emptiness. I never knew my dad, theres no drama or family secret therehe simply wasnt in my life. So when my aunt passed away, I saw things plain as day: there was just Gran and me left.
The days after the funeral were a bit surreal. Gran didnt burst into tears all the time, but her pain crept out in other waysshe moved a lot slower, forgot to turn off the lights, just sat quietly on the sofa and stared at nothing. I told myself Id stay just a few days.” Those days quietly turned into weeks. Then, one afternoon as I folded my clothes, I suddenly realised Id unpacked for goodI wasnt going anywhere.
And, of course, the opinions rolled in. You know how people areeveryones got something to say.
Some folks reckon Ive done the right thing, because how could I possibly leave an old lady whos just lost her daughter all on her own? Others say Im wasting my youth, that 25 is the time to travel, go out loads, get a boyfriend and live a little. They ask if I feel trapped, if Im lonely, if Im worried Ill end up alone in the end.
But honestly, I dont see it like that.
Ive got a job, Im saving up, I keep the flat ticking over, take Gran to her doctors appointments, we cook together and watch telly most nights. I dont feel like Im missing out or giving anything up. It feels like a choice I want to make. Right now, I dont have a partner, Im not thinking about kids or moving abroad. Im craving a bit of stabilityfor myself, for herand I dont want to keep repeating this cycle of abandonment I know far too well.
Grans really the only immediate family I have left. No mum, no aunt, no dad. And I dont want her finishing her days feeling like a burden, or thinking shes in the way. I dont want her eating dinner on her own every night or drifting off to sleep feeling like theres no one left in her world.
Maybe later life will take me somewhere else. I might travel, fall in love, go my own way. But, for now, being here feels right. Not out of guilt, not out of obligationbecause I love my gran, and genuinely like who I am when Im with her.
So, what about youwhat would you do in my shoes?
