Grandmas

To my Maternal and Paternal Grandmothers,

You were both very different like night and day, but my long talks with the both of you, gave me balance in my life and taught me how to be a real woman. I learned how to become a virtuous woman, the strong values associated with being a mother and a wife as well as an independent woman. Thank you grandmas for representing what a women can be through hard work and self-preservation.

Grandma you told me I can be somebody and that I was special. You said I can go to college, I can own a home and a business and still be feminine and sexy. Grandma you taught me how to pray when my faith was low, you taught me how to hope when I was in despair.

Grandma you said, girl you better love yourself and don’t worried about what people think and don’t you take no stuff from no man. You told me I was beautiful and that God loves me besides one man’s lost is another man’s treasure, you said child there is always more fish in the sea. Grandma said make your own money don’t depend on a man for all your needs and walk in a shared path alongside your significant other. Make sure that man treat you like a queen and you treat him like a king.

Grandma remember you said, girl spoil yourself get dolled up, put on a pretty dress and lipstick and blush at the attention, don’t be out their being fast, let them boys court you, don’t be out there given away your goodies, don’t nobody want no used goods.

Grandma you were always brutally honest and you didn’t mind hurting my feelings in order to teach me a lesson. I remember the times you shared with me memories of abuse and hurt ache within your life and how I looked in your eyes and realized how strong this woman was to overcome so much.

Oh Babushka, how I miss you so, how I wished you were able to meet your great grandchildren and build a relationship with them, I take my memories of you guys and share them with my children and I pour into my daughter all the values you gave me to continue our family heritage of strong, beautiful, black women. I follow your advice and God is the author of my life.

My Abuela how you struggled as a single mom and became a home owner with no high school diploma while bartending. Grandma at 40 years old you went back to school and completed a college degree and became a teacher’s aide after raising 8 children.

Grandmas you know what you gave me some sassy, some classy and yes some nicety too! You could be as sweet and gentle as a dove and understanding but when the occasion fit your sharp words hit like a snake bite especially when you were disappointed. I just want to say Grandmas I know you are in heaven looking down on me and I appreciate all the prayers you said for me over my life. I have a great legacy of wonderful women to follow including my mom and my aunts. I am blessed to have had such a close and fulfilling relationships with you guys and I really miss you.

I can remember spending weekends with you guys, one grandma lived in the city and the other grandma lived in the country. One grandma spent her time at the church, the other grandma spent her time at the bar and I spent time in both as well. Hey grandma remember when we used to pick vegetables from your garden and grandma remember when I used to help you cook holiday dinners.

Grandmas gave me spirituality, love and values, I just hope they are proud of the woman that I have become today. Guess what grandmas I went to college, I raised three kids as a single parent and now I am a grandma too and I am going to shower my grandchildren with all the love and wisdom you guys showered me with.

I love you Grandmas

Your Dearest Granddaughter DeShone

P.S. Hey Grandmas, I would have loved to see you guys work a cell phone, lol!