I am grateful that I was personally able to know each of my grandmothers. For me each grandmother represents something different in my life. Although they both grew up in the same small country of Jamaica, they come from completely different walks of life.
My grandma from my father’s side goes by the name Adie. It’s a long time nickname that generated from one of my older cousins and which has continually been passed down to my sister and me, the youngest of the grandchildren. Adie is an 86-year-old woman with freckles and fair skin. Her life was less than glamorous. Her mother died when she was young, and she inherited a wicked stepmother who prevented her from attending school. Adie married young to a dominant husband and birthed six children. At the age of 54 she moved to America and although had never held a job, besides being behind the counter of her husbands shop back in Jamaica, was able to earn a nursing assistant certificate and work at South Miami Hospital for 12 years.
When I was in the 4th grade, my mom told me Adie had suffered a stroke. Being the naïve child that I was, I never understood the true danger behind those words. Only when I saw the somber faces of my aunts and uncles and the terrified look in my dad’s eyes, did I then understand the seriousness of it all. By the grace of God, Adie healed slowly but surely. Her only visible “battle wounds” are the slight slur in her speech and the loss of some strength in her hands. Her mind is sharp and her faith is solid as a rock. Adie taught me about inner strength and the significance of faith. She persevered because failing was never an option. Because of her I believe in miracles.
From my mother’s side is another strong-minded woman who I, to be honest, don’t know much about. Unlike Adie, this grandmother never moved to the States. Due to this geographical distance between us, I was never able to get to as close to her. Despite this I will always have a special place for her in my heart. Three weeks after I was born, I came down with an infection. Being a first time parent, my mother thought my fever was something I could sleep off. My grandma, on the other hand, did not agree. Because of her my mom was convinced to rush me to the hospital. Because of her the doctor was able to diagnose my infection as Group B Strep, and tell my mom that had she waited till the morning I would’ve died. Because of her I am alive.
I owe my grandmothers a lot. They raised the children who I would someday call mom and dad, and in return my parents shaped the person I am today. Because of my grandmas I get to be spoiled every once in awhile. They give me a little pocket money here and a chuckle when my parents get scolded, every once in a while there. Grandmas are beautiful beings that are thoughtful and caring. They give the warmest hugs and cook the best meals. They are wise and insightful and have a lot of great stories to tell, for they have lived through decades upon decades of history and change. I believe in grandmas and all the wonderful things they are.