There are grandmothers out there who would move heaven and earth for their grandchildren.
Janice Elliot-Howard
I am one of those most fortunate people to grow up with not one, but two of my grandmothers: one paternal (Lucy) and one maternal (Alice).
I consider myself very lucky because, not many of us are fortunate enough to live with grandparents. This is an achievement that I consider unique.
While I lived with them, I never realized how crucial their bond was. Now that they are not with me anymore, I am reminded quite often on how much I miss them.
Coming from a modest background, my grannies never made me feel that we lacked anything. From food, snacks, clean house etc, I was the centre of their day while I lived with them.
I was sitting alone few days back to think about why they have had an impact on me!! I soon realized that grandmothers are like your guardian angels. By your side. Watching every step you take. Protecting you.
They fed me, bathed me, washed my clothes, brushed my teeth, lifted me, loved me, spoiled me with goodies, protected me. By far, I learned several life lessons from my grand mothers.
Here are some of the most important lessons I learnt from my grand mothers:
#1. Power of Habits
A mother becomes a true grandmother the day she stops noticing the terrible things her children do because she is so enchanted with the wonderful things her grandchildren do.
Lois Wyse
Both my grannies were quite opposite in their behavior. One was calm and cool while another was quick and active. While they were quite different, they had some habits which made them unique.
I learnt that habits are bed rock of a successful person. Show me your habits and I will show you where you will reach. Some of the habits I admire about them are:
- Wake up prior to sunrise
- Read books
- Complete what you started
- Have dreams in life
#2. Entrepreneurship
A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.
unknown
Oh, this one is peculiar.
My grandmother Lucy, especially, was an entrepreneurial one! She hardly rested during the day. Doing what she loved most. Spending time in nature, tending to her plants, crop. Once the flowers bloom, pick them and sell them in the market. When the crops were ripe, take them to market and sell them to the shops.
And she would take me too along with her to the market. I am not sure whether she was deliberate in her actions. I realize it now what a profound affect that has had on me.
Till the time she was of ripe age, I have seen her not miss a day of work. 7 days a week. She did not rest till the time she completed her work. I am particularly proud of her because of this. This kept her active and healthy for most part of her life.
She was not ashamed to carry on with her business despite no real need for it. Growing up with her, I learnt an important life lesson of entrepreneurship. It does not have to be starting a business. It can be simple as being creative in what you do.
#3. Power of Schedules
Parent-child relationships are complex. Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are short on criticism and long on love.
Janet Lanese
Both my grand mothers stuck to a schedule. They had time to wake up, time to prepare food, time for work in the farm, time for washing clothes, time to eat food, time for chores at home and so on.
The entire day consisted of various activities and duties and the schedule was quite strict. This meant that work and daily activities were handle with accuracy of time.
#4. Habit of Being There
Every house needs a grandmother in it.
Louisa May Alcott
The day at the school was a bit stressful for me. I recall that I was being bullied and ridiculed for some reason which I don’t even recall. But what I recall was the hug that my granny gave me when I reached home and mentioned what happened to her casually.
Both my grannies were very possessive about me. I knew that. Being possessive means being there when you are in trouble. I truly respect both my grannies for this quality they helped me develop.
How often do you hug your loved ones without any reason? How many times have you asked your loved ones how they were? How many times have you told them, ‘I Love You.’
Be there for your loved ones. Hug them. Love them.
#5. Love For Your Craft
A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes.
Barbara Cage
The dedication with which my grannies loved what they did showed in the quality of the outcome. Be it farming, cooking, cleaning or whatever work they did. They did it with perfection.
I particularly remember my granny Alice who was made best food. I have yet to see any better tasting food in my life. I am quite sure, I will not experience that again.
My other granny, Lucy was great farming. She dedicated her entire time mostly being in the nature, among the plants she grew, among the animals she reared. Waking up much before sunrise, watering the flower plants….all this showed in the quality of the flowers and crops.
Both of them considered their craft as a life mission and dedicated themselves to that. Do your craft sincerely and it will show in the results.
#6. Love For Strangers
Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete.
Marcy DeMaree
My granny Alice was a great giver. I still remember many of the ladies from the village congregating around her seeking advice on various stuff. Be it cooking, sewing clothes, reading books etc. She developed this fandom, because she was a giver.
She gave clothes to strangers to came home asking for help. She gave food to those who came hungry. She donated rice to the needy. I used to see her giving a lot to all these different people. I have seen her always giving and never receiving. She was a giver in her life. And people respected that.
Give without any expectation of any returns.
#7. Resilience
Grandmothers are voices of the past and role models of the present. Grandmothers open the doors to the future.
Helen Ketchum
Life wasn’t easy or straight forward in the villages. There were many challenges…heavy rains, dry well, not enough food, nature related problems and so on.
But I have not seen a single time that these women bowed under the pressure of the situation. They always found a way out! It is like the whole family depended on them.
Several times, when life has thrown challenges at me, I usually collapsed. But then I remember these brave women. And I am instantly motivated to get up and move on.
#8. Love
We should all have one person who knows how to bless us despite the evidence, Grandmother was that person to me.
Phyllis Theroux
Family is always first.
I realized this hard way. In the ‘busyness’ of my work and corporate life, I neglected my family. It happens to the best of us. But the, I realized that a company can render you unemployed within a day. What remains is your family.
Your family and loved ones must be your priority. Don’t mistake this with your employer or your company. I grew up seeing my grannies instilling this quality in the whole family.
#9. Live For Others
A grandmother is both a sword and a shield.
Fredrik Backman
Throughout my time with my grannies, I have never seen them being selfish for themselves. But for their loved ones.
During tough times in the family, I have seen them only giving. Giving their time, giving their energy, giving their attention, giving money and so on.
This taught me the importance of giving. Not only monetarily. But also in terms of your time. When you help others solve their problems without any expectation, you are indeed giving. And I learnt this from my grannies.
I write this article with tears formed at the corner of my eyes. Thinking about all the time that I spent with my grannies, cherishing each memory. Each moment. Each hug. Each kiss. Each morsel they fed me.
Nothing in this world will replace love of a granny. And I was fortunate to have two of them by my side. Supporting me. Loving me. Immersing themselves in me. Whatever words I speak or write will not suffice to say how much gratitude I have for them.
These lessons are a constant reminder to me to be my best self out in the world. I try to follow them diligently and encourage you to follow too.
If you are a parent, a grand parent, I am sure you love your kids unconditionally. Because the world needs more people like my grannies, Alice and Lucy.
Quotes from: Grandmother quotes
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