During a recent holiday visit, I revisited decades-old family home videos—including reunion footage from my dad’s side of the family—and discovered a moment I had never noticed before: my grandmother pulling me close and kissing me on the cheek. In a time before smartphones and constant documentation, these rare recordings preserve pieces of our family history that might otherwise have been lost.

On the 20th anniversary of my paternal grandmother’s passing, a deeply personal reflection on racing to say goodbye, the pain of loss, family, and the enduring love that never fades with time.