Secret Garden Adventures

One childhood memory that your Mom often shares with me, Rai, are the secret garden adventures that her family used to have. As you know, Rai, your Grandma loves gardens. She loves them so much, in fact, that her own incredible garden isn't enough to satisfy her. She needs to experience other people's gardens as well.
Out on family walks, your Grandma would often lead the family into people's gardens. Sometimes this would be by request, a "chance" encounter with a person watering some flowers would turn into an hour tour of their garden. Other times, these garden visits would be without invitation, without the knowledge or consent of the homeowners at all. Somehow, the family, led by Grandma, would end up in someone's backyard garden, taking a closer look at the landscaping and flowers, secretly, of course. Your Grandma's justification, "If the gate's not locked, then everyone is welcome," or "all garden's are public property!"
Now, your Grandma continues this tradition with you. While walking the streets of S.F. the other day, we meandered through several gardens. Lucky for us, even today, most gates remain unlocked, a simple latch and silly cultural norms related to private property rights are the only obstacles between us and some exquisite landscapes. Other gates remain locked. Unpassable? I don't think so, we just have to find a more creative or clandestine approach. Your Grandma will find a way!
Writing this, I have to reflect on the blessing that it is to have your Grandparents in your life. They bring so much to our lives and the times we all share as one large, extended family, are the best. They give you so much love and support Rai and all you have to do in return is to continue doing what you already do: keep giggling with joy when you see them, keep running into their arms, keep cuddling and clinging to them and never forget that you're surrounded by love on all sides.