I just learned today that this day is set to celebrate our grandparents, it is heartwarming and indeed very necessary for us to celebrate our elders and very cherished family members and also reflect on the profound impact they have in our lives as well as the role they play even at their age in helping our families and societies. I was opportune to spend a short while with my grandmother, who was the only living grandparent I was opportune to meet, until her unfortunate demise at the age of 79 while I was just 13 years then, but through that few years we spent together, I felt all the love, care and had a taste of my origin from the tales she told me from her experiences in the past, her advice and not forgetting our rich traditional meals, how I miss my grandma's ekpang (water yam porridge) which was my favourite meal of hers anytime I visited her at our home town, I was still young but the loving memories we shared still have a last impact in my mind and I don't think can be forgotten easily
My grandmother, popularly referred to as eka Mary(Mary's mum) my mum is named RoseMary was a mother to not just her children but to all she came in contact with, she was an epitome of unconditional love. Her home was always open to all, you would think she ran a restaurant at home because it was always funny to me when the children around both the little and elder ones would always come visiting with a spoon in their back pocket, It was in her kitchen that I learned the importance of family traditions and the power of a home-cooked meal to bring people together.
No matter how many the children were, they were always filled with happiness eating from a big bowl that my grandma used to serve everyone, I remember how skeptical I felt during one of my visits to her house to eat from a big bowl alongside everyone, but she told me that one of the ways to create healthy bond with people and make them feel loved irrespective of your class, is by humbling oneself, having patience and consider yourself not above anyone but as an instrument of happiness, and that's how you get lifted
My grandma has passed for more than a decade now, but her good deeds still linger on and are still greatly missed, she wasn't educated but she made sure the children around her went to school, after seeing the important benefits of education, she made sure to educate parents who were still ignorant about sending their children to school, and those that didn't have the funds, she supported them herself, lack of education didn't stop her from achieving greatness in her business, that I wondered how it would have been if she had the opportunity to go to school. She was a successful businesswoman and farmer due to the hard work, dedication, and determination she put into all she did, despite the challenge of losing her husband early she never gave up and single-handedly took charge of her home.
My grandmother's place was my safe haven because of the love, pampering, and mutual learning that we had, most early advice I had on life were from my grandma, in fact, my third name "Ime" which means patience is a lasting advice I now carry on, it is a name given to me by her, guess what, I was my grandma's English teacher as well, even though I was quite young, she enjoyed my English lessons. The relationship between parents and their children is sometimes fraught with tension because it includes authority in maters of discipline and train up a child, but grandparent – grandchild relationship lacks such angles of regular interaction.
My grandma was an epitome of beauty and knowledge, I remember how my grandmum's home was a reflection of peace, when dispute occurred among the family or even among her neighbours, trust grandma to calm the storm with her never-ending well of knowledge, she often offered a perspective on life that comes from decades of experience, providing wisdom and guidance that can be invaluable during the years of childhood, adolescence even unto adulthood. The emotional security provided by my grandmother also helped in building my self-esteem as a child.
Whenever it was time to go back home, I always put on a fist, not wanting to follow my parents home, and when I see my children do the same today with my parents, their grandparents, it reminds me of my time with my grandma, putting a smile on my face. My parents, who are now grandparents also play a very vital role in their grandchildren's life,
In today's busy and tight schedule at work, my parents frequently play a crucial role in childcare and family support. They have helped plenty of times by providing after-school care, attending school events, or simply offering a listening ear. Just yesterday, my daughter had her first graduation and my busy schedule at work almost made me miss out, thankfully Grandma was there to provide support, as she took pictures with her granddaughter while she received her first graduation certificate, I was overwhelmed with emotions when I arrived, imagining how it would have felt for myself and my daughter if grandma wasn't available.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of love and wisdom in any person’s life and the legacy left by those who came before us.
With regard to love and wisdom in any person’s life and the contributions made by previous generations, it is impossible to overemphasize the effects of these components.
Today being grandparents day , I think, we must thank these lovely people and the great difference which for so many of them and their families, they constitute. They love, they are wise and they are useful to the society in incredible ways, yes, in ways that cannot be measured.
Today is again a good day to shower a lot of love and appreciation to them, in case one is still privileged to have grandparents. They add that however busy life gets, at least make a phone call, and if possible a video call even if you cannot pay them an unscheduled visit as that will be a welcome plus for them and yourself as well.. Celebrate them while they are still alive.
Well, here is a tribute to my grandma, you live forever in my heart❤️.
This post is inspired by the #Julyinleo monthly topics, day 26, check it out and be inspired.
Images 1 and 3 are mine
image 2 [source]](https://unsplash.com/photos/person-wearing-gold-ring-and-blue-dress-XvzJVbeaK_4)