IN GRATITUDE TO GRANDMOTHERS: THE PILLARS OF WISDOM, STRENGTH AND LOVE
With a love that spans generations, caring memories etched in the very fabric of our existence, and nostalgia that takes us back to the warmest corners of our hearts, we gather to express profound gratitude for the incredible love, boundless wisdom, and unwavering support that grandmothers have bestowed upon us. In every wrinkle and every tender smile, in every comforting embrace and every gentle word, we find the embodiment of love and strength, and we thank God for the remarkable journeys of these extraordinary women—from motherhood to ‘grandmotherhood’.
Grandmothers: The Keepers of Treasured Memories
In African and Afro-American societies, grandmothers hold a cherished and unique place. They are the keepers of treasured memories, the storytellers of ancestral wisdom, and the torchbearers of traditions that bridge the past and the present. Our grandmothers are the living repositories of our heritage, and through their words, actions, and sheer presence, they remind us of who we are and where we come from and even humoring us with the childhood tales of our very own feared parents.
In many African cultures, the role of grandmothers is deeply intertwined with the passing down of oral traditions and the teaching of moral values. They regale us with stories of our ancestors, recounting tales of courage, resilience, and triumph in the face of adversity. They impart wisdom through proverbs, folktales, and parables, shaping our character and instilling in us a profound sense of humanity, identity, and belonging.
A Tender Loving Care to Generations
Grandmothers are the ultimate nurturers of tenderness, love, and care, and their homes are usually sanctuaries of love and acceptance. Whether it’s the aroma of their traditional dishes wafting through the air or the warmth of their comforting hugs, grandmothers have an unmatched ability to make us feel cherished and protected and even if rejected by everyone else, accepted. They are the ones who bandage scraped knees and kiss away our tears, offering solace, strength and many times, an anchor.
In African and Afro-American communities, grandmothers play a pivotal role in caregiving. They have been instrumental in raising children, especially when parents are absent due to work, migration, or other challenges. Grandmothers have stepped in as primary caregivers, offering not only physical care but also a wealth of wisdom, discipline, and cultural knowledge that has shaped the values and identities of the young ones entrusted to their care.
A Pillars of Resilience
African and Afro-American grandmothers have often borne witness to significant historical and societal changes. They have lived through epochs of oppression, slavery, discrimination, colonialism, and struggle, yet they have remained resilient and unwavering in their faith and determination. They survived these eras, emerging with a goldmine of wisdom, strength, faith, and resilience that is unmatched in value. Their strength has been a beacon of hope, guiding their families through turbulent times.
During periods of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, grandmothers were often the backbone of their communities. They offered solace and support to those fighting for justice and equality. Their kitchens became oases of nourishment and refill for both body and soul and hubs where activism and faith converged.
In Africa, grandmothers have played crucial roles in healing and reconciliation efforts in the aftermath of conflict and civil strife in homes. They have been instrumental in rebuilding communities, mending bridges, fostering unity, and embodying the spirit and belief in the interconnectedness of all people and sacred keepers and wise enforcers of the divine institution of marriage.
A Legacy of Unconditional Love
The love of a grandmother is a special kind of love—unconditional, unwavering, and eternal. It is a love that transcends time and generations, a love that is felt in the warmth of a handmade quilt, in the taste of a beloved recipe passed down through the ages, in the sanctuary that her warm hug brings and in the lullabies sung with a voice that carries the echoes of generations past.
Sometimes when mothers greatly struggled with a belligerent ward and almost gave up, such children would always be sent to stay with grandma and in most cases, improvements were noticed as such children upturned for the better.
In African and Afro-American families, grandmothers have often been the pillars of love and stability. They have been the ones to offer counsel in times of turmoil, to celebrate our achievements, and to gently correct our missteps. Their love is a constant source of affirmation, reminding us of our inherent worth and dignity. If you ever felt worthless, a visit to your grandma would just be the antidote and your self-worth would just rebound
Although I have lost both grandmas, I was very fortunate to enjoy their presence and every aforementioned wonder they exuded.
A prayer of Blessing to All Grandmothers
As we gather to honor the grandmothers who have graced our lives, we offer this prayer of blessing to them all, alive and posthumous:
Dear Heavenly Father!
We thank YOU for the gift of grandmothers, and for the love, wisdom, and support they have generously bestowed upon us. We are grateful for the strength they have shown, the stories they shared, and the love they have given. We ask for YOUR continued grace and blessings upon these remarkable women as they continue their journeys through life.
May YOU, O Lord, grant them health and happiness, and may their days be filled with peace and joy. May they continue to be a source of inspiration and guidance for all who were fortunate to know them!
And when the time comes for them to depart from this earthly realm, we pray that YOUR loving embrace, in open arms, welcome them into YOUR eternal kingdom. May they find rest and serenity in YOUR presence, knowing that their love and legacy will live on in the hearts of those they leave behind!
In YOUR name we pray. For those living and those passed on. Amen
These words of my rhapsody represent the thoughts of Mrs. Jacqueline Williams Igbokwe and reminiscences of #barrygoodspeedspeaks and it is written in dedication to Mrs. Catherine Priester, an amazing grandmother: a pillar of love and wisdom, a reinforcing epitome of strength and independence and a shining thread strongly binding the draping of family through passing generations. This dedication was written under the auspices and behest of Mrs. Jacqueline Williams Igbokwe (Grand-daughter)
I further offer this dedication to Mrs. Sharon Williams, Mrs. Jacqueline Williams Igbokwe, Mrs. Bernedette Igbokwe, a soon-to-be grandmother, your grandmother, and every other grandmother out there. I raise my hat and take a bow of salute to you all. And to my late grandmas, Mrs. Angelina Etoh and Mrs. Agatha Igbokwe, Rest in THE MOST HIGH’S Power!
How they metamorphose into these invaluable jewels of humanity is a rigorous food for thought nevertheless, the energy and essence embodied and manifested in grandmothers is scarcely far from divine.
Meze Goodspeed