The Covid-19 eruption saw us in remote school mode for almost half a year in 2020. The resulting restrictions made it impossible to go and visit family and friends as normal. For months, I did not see my grandma; nor did I make a call to her. I did not believe I could relate well to Gran because of her advanced age.

“Peter, your gran won’t be around forever,” Mum said one day. “Please give her a call today. She misses you a lot.”

To be honest, calling Gran was not high on my list of priorities. That evening, urged by Mother, very reluctantly I picked up the phone receiver and slowly dialled her number on the landline. Meanwhile I racked my brains, trying to brainstorm some topics Gran might be interested in, but I ended up with a blank mind. What could I possibly talk about with an old lady who is 55 years my senior?

My call got through. A familiar gentle female voice came over from the other end. It was Gran greeting me there in her signature manner of speaking. What I did not expect at the time was that a phone call I had discounted as worthless was to make a profound difference to me. It would open the door not only to a new friendship across generations but to a fresh attitude towards life and Gran as well.

 Throughout the call, Gran did most of the talking. It seemed as if the elderly lady had a million questions on her mind. My initial apprehension about having nothing to say was totally unnecessary. Gran asked me about school, meals, fashion, romance and even gaming. Before I knew it, half an hour had passed.

Before I hung up, Gran invited me to go and have lunch with her the next Sunday. I agreed tentatively. No sooner had I put down the receiver than I rued my decision. How on earth could I possibly squeeze a lunch date with a fossilised mind into my hectic schedule of homework, gaming and workouts?

When the time came, I went anyway. I had not met Gran face to face for a few months, but to my relief, seeing the real person made me feel unusually snug and secure. She did an elaborate lunch for me. With my favourite dishes served on the table, we sat down to the meal.

Over the meal, Gran shared with me a lot of anecdotes about her retired life. She even confided to me that she had made a new boyfriend, who is about 80. The lucky gentleman is a new member of her dancing club. Wow, it was totally beyond my expectations that Gran has such a colourful rich social life.

Ever since the phone call to Gran during the lockdown, I have talked with the grey-haired lady regularly. Most times our communication happens over the phone. Occasionally we meet in person.

Gran has taught me to be open to new things and to relish simple pleasures life has to offer. `Hence I have gained a new friend, a new teacher and a new outlook.