“When my grandmother died, there was a feeling that I’m all...

“When my grandmother died, there was a feeling that I’m all alone in this world.  Her favorite saying was: ‘I’m always here for you, whenever you need me.’  Without asking questions.  Without judging.  My parents were different.  They wanted things from me.  They wanted me to be a good person, and graduate, and get a job, and do well.  But I kept failing.  I questioned everything.  I was bad at school.  I didn’t follow the rules.  I had purple hair.  And a nose ring.  And to make things worse, I had this perfect, beautiful little sister who did everything right.  But every time I messed up, I could go to Oma.  And she’d tell me: ‘Don’t worry so much.  These things aren’t important.’  And ‘I love you darling.’  And ‘You’re not a bad person.’  And ‘You’ll find a way to be happy.’  It could be so hard growing up.  It felt like the world wanted so much from me.  But my grandmother was different.  She just loved me.”
(Berlin, Germany)