I have been an educator in Catholic schools for 23 years, a role that has brought me immense joy and fulfilment. Retirement was never on my mind—until the day I held my granddaughter in my arms.

My husband and I both worked full-time while raising our children. Before having my first child, I had already been teaching for several years, making it second nature to care for and educate children. However, balancing a full-time job and parenting was challenging. My mother passed away before meeting her grandchildren, but we were fortunate to have a strong support system through my in-laws. Their presence provided my son and daughter with the love and care they needed, giving me the peace of mind to focus on my career, knowing my children were in the trusted hands of their grandparents.

Reflecting on this experience, I promised myself that when the time came for me to become a grandparent, I would offer the same support and love to my children and grandchildren.

In 2019, my first grandchild, (Leia Grace Mealin was born, and I was overjoyed to become a grandmother for the first time! However, I soon realised that I couldn’t care for her like how my in-laws had cared for my children if I were to carry on teaching. It was a difficult decision: my passion for teaching and sharing my faith with children had always kept me going. Teaching was not just a job but a calling. On the other hand, I have this little bundle of joy in my arms, and I want to give her the best care as a grandmother could. I spent many sleepless nights trying to make the choice for the best possible outcome.

I prayed to God for wisdom to make the right decision, and painful as it was, I decided that caring for my granddaughter full time should be my priority. Hence, I requested for an early retirement.

Little did I know, God made the best plans, even in the face of a pandemic – My daughter and her family were still waiting for their flat, and were living with my husband and me before the “new normal” began, thus allowing us to help care for Leia Grace. When COVID-19 hit, we were blessed not to experience the separation many families faced.

We cherished the time spent together, especially witnessing Leia Grace’s precious developmental milestones. It felt like a return to my days as an educator, teaching her to pray and introducing her to the faith just as I had done with my own children.