The Toughest woman I know

I could never understand where you got your strength from or how much you persevered. To have endured so much turmoil and pain, I just don’t think I could have lived through it.

Your upbringing was unlike most. Yes, you were poor in reference to money and possessions, nevertheless, you always felt rich because your happiness came from being surrounded by love and more importantly, family. You gave birth to nine children of which six died. I don’t have any children but I could not imagine what it felt like to lose one child. You lost six and still continued to be the matriarch of the family. This was evidence of your strength.

You found a way to take care of everyone. This also included other families or children in the community. You never turned anyone away who was in need despite only having a one-bedroom home I was told. In this little house near the river, you took what seemed like the least amount of food but prepared it in such a way that no one ever felt hungry. You were determined to do everything you could to ensure everyone was safe and felt loved. Because of you, I have become passionate about helping others. I have gone on multiple mission trips and have helped out in my community.

Despite your lack of an education, you encouraged your children and grandchildren to be so much more. As your granddaughter, you continuously spoke life into me and everyone else in the family. You constantly reminded me that you wanted my life to be better in comparison to yours. You wanted it to be easier and my future to be brighter. What you may have not understood was that despite your inability to read or write, teaching us, your children and grandchildren, to be strong was not a lesson that any educator could teach. You unknowingly became my teacher of strength. That’s the biggest lesson that I learned from you.

I have achieved the highest degree in my field of work mainly because of your encouragement. I never settled because you reminded me that there is always room for growth and improvement.

One of the things I loved about you was the way you carried yourself. You held your head up high and displayed so much confidence. You didn’t need anyone’s affirmations. You taught me how to create my own happiness and to be independent.

You were not only a great cook, but you were gifted in so many different areas. You made most of the clothing that we wore. You were skilled at turning an ugly T-shirt or an old dress into something brand new. This is something that I wished I took the opportunity to have learned from you.

I took for granted the fact that we grew most of our food. I often complained about being out in the sun, however, I now realize that it was a great experience. We ate organic food. I have shared with others the number of foods that we grew. Having access to fresh sugarcane, a variety of fruits such as mangoes, oranges, grapefruit and watermelon in addition to multiple spices were a blessing. I have a small garden now and every time I am there, your presence is always felt.

I watched you suffer for a long period of time. You survived three strokes. It was the last one that changed your life around. Even though you couldn’t speak very well, I could tell that you were tired. You had lived a very fulfilling life. You poured so much into each of us and knew that we would all be ok.

I remember hearing the news of your passing and it definitely caught me off guard. I know that as human beings, we will all die one day but it doesn’t mean that it hurts less when a loved one is no longer here. You needed peace and we no longer wanted to see you in pain. You had fought the good fight and it was now your time to spread your wings and fly.

When I looked at you in the coffin at your funeral, you looked at peace. You had done all that you could do and this is my poem to you.

Thank you for being our foundation

Thank you for being our pillar of hope

Thank you for being our silver lining

Thank you for being our teacher who taught us how to cope

You were and will always be our beacon of light

You were and will always be the star that shines bright

You were and will always be our mother, sister and friend

You were and will always be remembered as a perfect blend

A blend of courage, fearlessness and grit

A blend of bravery, endurance and the unwillingness to quit

A blend of motherly love, patience and positivity

A blend of confidence, faith and creativity

As a fierce and loyal member of the family

You served as the lioness who we all hoped to be

You offered us protection, you served as our shield

You prepared us for battles and treated us as kings and Queens

You will always be seen as the epitome of strength

As a symbol of love and a light till the end

We will carry you forever in our hearts

And we will remember you always until that day when we are no longer apart

I wish you were here to tell your story but I hope my story does you justice.