Grandmother
by Tahonee Washington
We need to give praise to these wonderful women who are responsible for our very being. It is time we thank them for all they have done for us. I know I am thankful for everything my grandmother has done for me. Sometimes it's hard to talk to our grandmothers, but now is the time. Talk to your grandmother and see what's on her mind, and compare her views with yours. Hey, you never know, you and her might have more in common than you think. Grandma, Nana, Granny, and Big Moms are all different names we use for our grandmothers.
I call my grandmother "The Champ". Mattie Washington grew up down south, and as a child she recalls that some of her fondest memories were playing tricks on people with her identical twin sister. She describes her childhood as rough but loving, "we ain't have much money, but we had plenty of love, that's what kept the family together." Growing up in the late 20's and 30's she never had a chance to go to school, instead she was home schooled by Momma Lula. "We grew up in a very rural town so we did a lot of farming and cotton picking, Ewww, I couldn't stand being out there with all those stankin' animals." Her mother always believed that a woman's role was at home, and that the men should be the breadwinners. "Well, honey, let me tell you this: I wasn't gone depend on a man for nothing, I went out there and did what I had to do for me and my family to survive." Mattie has four children and fourteen grandchildren. She has seen her share of runny noses and soiled diapers. Mattie says she was a mixture of housewife and hustler. She lived most of her life on the Westside of Chicago in the Austin Community.
I talked with my grandmother about her life now and life in the past. She talked intensively about how she missed out on her education, and how important it is to obtain one. She also says that some of the biggest issues of her day were race, teenage pregnancy and a lack of education. Mattie says that she wished she could have the type of education that so many of us are taking for granted. When speaking on a woman's role she says that a woman's role is whatever they want it to be, we can do whatever we put our minds to.
My grandmother is my hero. She has done so much for me as well as my family members. Without my grandmother I can honestly say that there is no telling where I would be. She raised all of her children, and then took on the responsibility of raising me. Many people take their grandmothers for granted when they should be praising them. If more of us would just sit down and listen to what they have to say we would know so much more. I have learned so much from my grandmother; she taught me how to be a woman, and how to love myself as well as others. No matter what I did or what problems I had going on, she was always there for me. So, I salute and thank her, because without her there is no me.
Young people, we need to start taking all the time we have with these wonderful women in our lives. Sit down with your grandmother and listen to what she has to say. Stop taking her advice in one ear and letting it fall out the other. Use your time wisely, because when she's gone that's it. Show her all the love and support you can, because in the end you will be happy you did.