The Unforgettable Summer of 2024

Created by Vihaan Agrawal 

The excitement in the air was palpable as I sat at home, eagerly waiting for my grandparents to reach home from the airport. After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived, their eyes twinkling with joy as they stepped into our home. The long flight from India couldn't dim their enthusiasm. With hugs and warm greetings, we welcomed them into our world, ready for the adventures that lay ahead.
The first few days flew by in a blur of catching up and settling in. The very same weekend, we decided to take my grandparents to a little village about three hours away from our home called Leavenworth. The vibrant colors, tiny shops, and bustling atmosphere greatly appealed to them. We spent the day roaming about, snapping pictures, and eating Bavarian food. Shortly after our trip to Leavenworth, we planned a day trip to a nearby national park. My grandparents, who had always loved nature, were thrilled. We hiked through trails, admired waterfalls, and even spotted a couple Marmots. As it was only June, there was still plenty of old snow and ice. Enough to look like a winter wonderland, and since snow is a rare sight in India, they absolutely adored it.
We introduced my grandparents to some of our favorite cuisines, such as Thai, German, Japanese, and Ethiopian cuisines. In return, grandma cooked up simply scrumptious food, for 42 days the kitchen became a trip back to India, with the aroma of spices filling the house. As we sat down to Eat meals together, they shared stories of my father and his brother’s childhood in India, making the experience even more special. Along with grandma’s cooking, my grandparents and I made it a point to play at least 1game of cards every night. Whether it be Moongus, Laal Paan, Courtpeice, 3 2 5, or 6 9. All the games I mentioned in this list is a traditional Indian game which was taught to me by them. In addition to that, they taught me different strategies and tricks to make me better at those games. Another part of our schedule was our morning exercise. Because they usually took an invigorating walk every morning in India, my grandpa and I usually played cricket or badminton, and sometimes both for about an hour a day, while grandma worked towards her daily goal of completing 7,000 steps per day.
The biggest highlight of the visit was the bond that grew between my grandparents and me. We spent hours together, playing games, telling each other stories, and learning from each other. It was truly some of the best, and liveliest 42 days of my life. Full to brim with stories, laughter, marvelous food, and the most important, the comforting presence of grandma, and grandpa.
The final day arrived way too soon. We drove to the airport with heavy hearts, knowing that it was time for my grandparents to return to India. There were tears and long hugs as we said our goodbyes. But as they walked towards the gate, they turned around and waved, promising to visit again soon. We waved back, grateful for the 42 days of love, joy, and unforgettable memories.