Grandma Visit

Granny,

Over the river and through the woods to grandmothers house we went. My granny is just over a 100 yrs of age. She has a spirit that makes me smile every time I think of her. She lives in Long Road Jamaica, which is a few miles inland off the north central coast. Her house is a shack at best and she loves it!! Her smile and laugh would light up any room. As I walked down the steps to her house, her eyes lit up as it was an unexpected visit, surprises are always welcome by everyone. (My embrace of my grandmother was a spiritual exchange). It was nice to make the pilgrimage to see her. She lives so far from what we would consider civilization. The road took 45min just to travel 4 miles!! At points people walked by and stayed ahead of us as we conquered the terrain. Yet her smile made it worth it.

Growing up I never spent much time with granny because we lived so far away. My mom always told me about her, but as the song says, ”Ain’t nothing like the real thing”. My granny is quite alert for 100; she keeps up on politics and all that is going on from the radio broadcasts she listens to. My cousins still live around her and offer her support for the little things she needs, but she mostly lives on her own surrounded by a host of grandchildren.

As we talked her message to me became clear. She wants great-grandchildren from me!! I thought my mom was bad, but how do you dodge a 100yr old when she asks you questions about why you are not married? I explained to her that I was not ready yet and was still searching for the right one. She understood but said before she goes to heaven; she would like to hold one of my children. I fought back a tear. Her life is such a wonderful refreshment to the chaos we have created. Her appreciation for the simple things in life makes my existence seem that much better. She loves all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I could only hope that my life would be as blessed as her has been. We talked a little more and she reiterated an idea to me numerous times. Her quote for the day was this:

“The good you do, will get you through life”

She uttered this to her other grand-children hanging around the house and to me a few times. She said these words with a sense of pride knowing that I had come so far to see her. This brought her a great amount of joy just seeing me she said. My life was the embodiment of her trials and tribulations at that moment. She saw me as a shinning example and that, “it was all worth it” smile came on her face. Very few of us get this type of gratification from a simple visit. Again her words caused a rush in my heart. I imagined her world before I was even born and the temper tantrums my mom must have thrown. I imagined the extra hours she put in to send my mom to the best schools and eventually to college. I imagined all of her extras patient as she watched over my brothers and sisters my parents worked abroad. All of the love that she has shown to her family was being returned by a simple visit. It humbled me as I felt I was in the presence of greatness. My life is where it is because of the love she shared, and I was overjoyed to return a small portion.

My granny visit was coming to an end. After a toast and some lunch we made the trip back to Kingston. Before I left, we embraced, exchanged “I love you’s” and said our goodbyes. On my return home I reflected on the joy this day had brought. My trip would not have felt right if I did not see her. My life would not have been blessed if I had not known her.