Yes. No. Hello. Goodbye. I’m hungry. Let’s go. I’m leaving. I’m back. Good. Help. 

These 14 words are the only things I say to my grandparents on a regular basis. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to them or they live far away, it’s just because I can’t. 

This is a classic case of receptive bilingualism, which is when someone can understand more of the language than they are able to speak. This can happen when one language is being prioritized or supported more than the other, and in my case, the only time I wasn’t speaking English was when I was talking to my grandparents or when I was ordering soft tofu soup at a Korean restaurant. 

As a kid, I was glued to my grandparents 24/7, so much so that most of my childhood memories include them. Going to work with them, sleeping in the same bed, eating meals, going grocery shopping, it didn’t matter, wherever they were, I was there too. 

With all the time we spent together, I obviously became very attached to them (and still am), but can’t seem to express my gratitude and appreciation for their constant care. Obviously, this is frustrating. I am essentially stuck having small talk with the people I care for the most, so I try to make up for it with time and effort. Helping them with healthcare (although having to explain medical terms was almost impossible), technology, appointments, whatever they need me for, I’m there. 

I know that these small favors are nothing compared to the constant love and support they’ve shown me throughout my life, but I can only hope that my small favors shows them the constant love I’ve always had for them.