An ode to my “Ammamma” There is a lot more to an individual than what meets the eye. My nieces and nephews see my maternal grandmother as a great grandmother who is weak and wrinkled due to old age, but they have not seen all that she experienced in life. They have not heard all her stories which still inspire and amaze me today. They have not seen her in her worst days and how she emerged stronger. This is for them to know a bit more about her and be proud of her legacy. My grandmother who my cousins fondly call “ammamma” reached a major milestone in her life that several of us may never reach. She became a centenarian this October. What a wonderful journey! This was a story straight from an Indian movie, except that it was real. It all took place in a little town in Andhra Pradesh in the 1930s, when love marriages were not that prevalent. Smart and beautiful at 16, my grandmother attracted the attention of my grandfather, a young zamindar’s son and a budding Telugu poet. They fell in love with each other. Soon, at age 18, my grandmother married him against the wishes of her to be in-laws. Considering that she was never accepted into my …show more content…
She showered all her affection equally on her twenty-one grandchildren and mesmerized us with her numerous stories. Never idle, in her free time, she embroidered and painstakingly hand stitched some of our dresses which we wore and showed off during our summer vacations. She was also an excellent cook. I still remember her simple yet flavorful dishes to this day. Without her, I don’t believe we would have had the summers we had growing up. It was all about fun, family bonding and eating delicious home cooked food. I would never trade the summers I spent with my grandmother or my cousins for anything else in this world. I would however love to turn back in time and rest my head on her lap and hear her
Life forced her to take on many roles: farmer, doctor, veterinarian, and most importantly, a mother who has raised her children courageously. She recalls the many nights caring for sick children and animals. She had to fence in acres of land and act as a midwife and nurse. She remembers lighting the lamps when her children were young. Granny was married to a man named John, but her strength was again tested when he died at a young age, leaving her to raise their chi...
Some of her best years were caring for her children. When her daughter entered the first grade NS decided that it was time for her to go back to school as well. In 1984 NS graduated college with her teaching degree, and retired at age 66. Her best years weren’t over yet. Her daughter welcomed her first child in 2009, and a year later her son welcomed his first-born. She had two beautiful grandchildren that kept her young, but that wasn’t the last of grandchildren. Nine months after her second grandchild, her son welcomed a baby girl in 2011. She stated, “It was a blessing to have them one after the other. Every time I turned around there was grandchild being born. I was in grandma heaven.” I asked what are your plans for the future, she replied, “ Watching my beautiful grandchildren grow, spending as much time with them as possible because before you know it they’ll be grown and have families of their own. Also enjoying my time with my husband. In September marks our 50th year anniversary, and I can’t wait to spend it with
Often people look towards old people as people who are dull, and not full of life. They don’t understand anything of the times. They pinch cheeks. They always tell boring stories. These are many things people stereotype the older generation as being. Yet, this is not true at all. Older people need to be highly respected. They have lived such long lives and gone through so much. They give so much insight on how people should live their lives as clearly they have endured through it. In the short story of A Celebration of Grandfathers by Rudolfo A. Anaya, it suggests important life lessons that everyone needs to know.
“ I loved my childhood, I couldn’t have asked for a better one.” is what my mother told me talking about her childhood. My mother lived her childhood to the fullest and enjoyed every second of it even if she didn't have everything she wanted. As she moved from home to home and school to school she realized her best friends forever were her sisters. Even up to today she talks to her sisters every day even though Larissa lives all the way in Wichita,Kansas.My mother enjoyed playing barbies,baby dolls, and house with her sisters. Even though their father didn't always seem like he was supporting them he kept the family together and always made sure they had everything to live a comfortable life. As they got older my grandfather has became a much bigger part of their life and does anything to make everyone happy.
When I think of Mary Helen Smith, also known to me as Grandma, I think of learning, laughter and love.
First, my grandma was significant in my life because she cared for me throughout my childhood. Whenever my parents would go out or leave town, I got to stay at my grandma’s house. I remember having lots of fun at her house because she had different toys and
One of the joys of being a grandmother is getting a second chance of raising a child with less responsibilities and more time (MHM p,3). Most grandmothers in the book enjoy their time with their grandchildren because it allows them to make up for time lost
She is a multi-talented women with determination and believes if you set your mind your goal there isn't anything that you can't achieve. My grandma wasn't able to be somebody that gave a lot of influence and didn't meet some of her goals, I am proud of her intelligence and how much she was able to do independently. Even as a grandma she loves to learn and presently is learning English. She is almost eighty years old and she looks like she is only sixty. Even now as a grandma, she is active and passionate about education. She encourages me to get a
I remember vividly the weekends at his house. Sitting on his lap, going to wrestling matches, walking down the street or through a park--these were things I did with Grandpa. I wasn't just a kid to him: I was his granddaughter, and I was special. He was special too.
She could explain anything to me and I would understand straight away. She helped a lot for my education and always was there to help. My parents knew that she could teach me and show how hard it is these days and how hard I should work. That is why they always made sure I saw her enough but it never was for me.
The air is really fresh, and the wind is comfortable. Grandma usually opened the window during the daytime; I still remembered that feeling when the sunshine came in house and scatter. I walking among those numerous grand trees and admire colored leaves on the trees and on the ground. I miss that feeling of calmness and stability of the world around. I wish I could return the reality of those feelings once more. Memories in mind and never forget about happiness of staying in my grandmother’s house. Grandparent’s time-honored gift to their grandchildren is their unconditional love, unfettered by schedules, routines or commitments. They reinforced their grandchildren’s sense of security and self-value.
My great grandmother, Mama, cared for all her children including her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and great grandchildren all the same. She allowed anyone to stay in her home when needed and loaned money even when she did not have the funds to support herself. Even as a young child my great great grandmother was older but held a great part in raising me. I never received any form of structured learning such as daycare or pre-kindergarten because I loved being in her company and did not want to separate from her.
This lady is the most wonderful person I 've ever met. She is old, affectionate, and intelligent. It took me eighteen years to realize how much this extraordinary person influenced my life. She 's the type of person who charms everyone with her stories and experiences. She always time for her family and friends. She is the kind of leader who does everything to keep her family together and in harmony. She is my grandmother.
She was determined to give her family a great life even though it was hard at times. Cooking, cleaning, baby sitting, paying bills, and staying active in church took up most of her time. Not one time did my great grandmother complain; instead, she embraced life and took it day by day.
Two years ago today my great grandmother passed away from old age and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Although all of my memories with her are vague, I will never forget the happiness that emanated from her when you were around her. Even in her last days, when she could barely remember her own children, you never saw her without a smile on her face. And that to me is something that I will carry with me for as long as I