Something For My Grandma

'A Song For Mama' by Boyz II Men...That song is a dedication to my Granny...loving her is like food to my soul. Only Gods knows just how much I love that woman! I spent the whole weekend with her-haven't done that for a long while-it's usually jusy the Sundays. This weekend was really nice, spending a lil quality time with her, my aunty and lil cousin.


Yesterday, whilst heading back from dropping my aunty and lil cousin home my uncle called. After Granny spoke to him she told me that he asked her if I was with her, and that he always asks if I'm with her. So I say 'the only time I don't come round is if I'm out of the country' then she says that was what she told her Pastor; she was talking to her on Friday evening and Pastor asked her is she had had a good birthday. Granny answered no. Pastor asked why, and Granny told her that she didn't receive any calls from her children or grandchildren-bar me, my aunty, my uncle & my lil cousin...Now let me tell you real quick-my granny has 9 children all of which are alive. 7 were born in Jamaica, and the youngest 2 were born here. Of the 7 that were born in Jamaica 4 of them are here in the UK. 8 of her children all have kids...all but 3 have more than one child. Of those grandchildren I think 2 or 3 have children...so that equals 9 children, a whole bag of grandchildren and a dusting of great-grandchildren. YET-she only receives 1 visit (as my aunty & cousin don't live very close), 2 birthday cards and 3 phonecalls? You know I was mad right? To be honest, it's the same shit every year...me, my aunty, uncle and cousin make sure that my granny is made a fuss off-at the house it's just her and gramps...and they don't really do fuss.

So anyways, this conversation with Pastor lead her to tell me the story about when she sent for my Dad and Uncle from Jamaica. I've heard the story of how all my Uncles and Aunty came over here many a time, but I never tire of hearing it..but anyways it's so sad to know that after everything she's done for them, they turn around and shit in her face! My Grandad cusses about it all the time...I mean even my sperm donor didn't even call or come round-and he lives literally around the corner...shit like this hurts my heart.

My Granny is such a wonderful woman. There isn't anything she wouldn't do for someone. Even if she doesn't know you, if you come to her house, you'd be sure to leave with a ful stomach, plenty of love and a smile on your face. She has such a beautiful spirit, and it really does hurt me to the core to know that she's the head of such a large family, yet on 2 children, and 2 grandchildren have the time for her.

Growing up, my cousins,aunt & uncles....practically the whole family used to say that I was the one my Granny 'prayed to' (JA terms meaning loved the best & spoiled) but the truth is my Granny loved us all the same! I've being going to her house for weekends-every weekend since I was like 6 months old, we're mad close-we share unsaid things that no one else gets-and spoiled? Me? Are you serious?? Unless we're talking about being spoiled with unconditional love-then yep-Ill hold my hands up! The funny thing is she, nor my grandad remember my birthday, but I blame their head not their heart!

I love it when she tells me stories from back in the day, with all the Jamaican sayings and stuff. I hope I remember them them to pass on to my kids. Granny has shown me you're only as old as you feel, and more time she's like a spring chicken...when we're dancing and acting the fool up in the kitchen.

And there are times when I wish the sperm donor wasn't even that...but regardless of whatever, nothing would or could have me wish for greater grandparents. It's cos of this love that I have for my Granny, that I don't ever want to think of life without her. So when she talks of her Will I don't wanna know about it. It's upsetting and it gets me mad cos I know all them children, the bag of grandchildren and the dusting of great-grandchildren will be coming through with their hands out saying 'gimme'...I'm setting for them...

So...that's one of my leading ladies you guys...My Grandmother...the lady that would make me Milo tea every Saturday and Sunday morning, cooling it by pouring it from cup to cup and then scooping out the bubbles (otherwise I wouldn't drink it), who would let me lick the bowl from making rum cake (lol), who'd always cook my favourite-roast breadfruit with Ackee & Saltfish whenever I wanted it, and who in turn I would give my life for.

My Granny..the great lady she is..
'...you took up for me
When everyone was downin me
You always did understand
You gave me strength to go on
There was so many times
Looking back when I was so afraid
And then you come to me
And say to me I can face anything
And no one else can do
What you have done for me
You'll always be
You will always be the girl in my life'