This piece is dedicated to the two women who have impacted my life. Without them, I would not be the strong and confident person I am today.
According to a random study I found online, the average person meets about 80,000 people in his or her lifetime. Still I can guarantee you that no one has ever met anyone like the women in my life.
My grandmother is about five feet three inches tall. She’s small but mighty, and always keeps busy, whether she’s working, testing new recipes, or hitting the gym. She’s kind-hearted, sweet, and doesn’t care what anybody has to say, especially when she’s on the dance floor. At just ten years old, my grandmother and her family moved out of her home in Greenwood, Mississippi, to live in the “Big Apple.” Not only was the transition hard for her, but she was bullied at school because of her small frame and thick southern accent. My great-grandmother would often tell her, “Not everyone will like you, but as long as you like yourself you are doing good. Never give up on yourself!” My grandmother was an honor student throughout elementary, junior high, and high school. Even after losing her mother at a young age and becoming a mother at a young age, she continued to become the strong independent woman she is today. My grandmother wanted the best for her children. So she provided them with everything that they needed for a happy and healthy life, just like my mother did for me.
I’ve always believed my mom is a superhero. She’s five foot seven, has brown eyes and a smile that’s contagious. She’s fearless, and knows how to handle any obstacle. To this day, I admire her strength. My mother never lets anybody talk her down. She always stands up for herself, no matter what. She is confident, smart; she knows her capabilities. She’s a go-getter, and she works hard for what she wants. Not only that, but she’s funny; she always finds ways to make me laugh, even when I’m in a bad mood. My mother has always been there for me. When I used to come home crying because kids at school would comment on how small I was, she would tell me that I am beautiful just the way I am and that I don’t need to change myself for anybody. Even when I felt like there was no one I could talk to about things that bothered me, she always made sure that I knew I could come to her for anything. I could rant to her for days about the same thing, and she would listen every single time. Over the years, she has shown me the importance of trying my best and always believing in myself. She has taught me to love myself and to never let anybody treat me as any less than I am. My mother always goes out of her way to make me happy, even when I do wrong. I’m extremely thankful for the sacrifices she continues to make for me, making sure I am getting everything I want and need, just like her mother did for her.
My mother and grandmother have both influenced me and helped me grow over the years. Because of them, I know my worth. I am a work in progress and I should never allow people to make me feel ashamed for how God made me. My lithe frame doesn’t define who I am; neither do my mistakes. It’s about my personality and drive. The mark I leave on the world. They have taught me to work hard and never do less than my best. They also taught me that life is too short to be sad all the time. I should continue to smile and do the things that make me happy because surrounding myself with negativity won’t do anything but hurt me. I am extremely grateful for these women, and I hope to one day inspire people like they inspired me.
Although I don’t express it enough, I’m very thankful for the women in my life. Even though I’m a couple inches taller (five foot nine), I look up to both my mother and my grandmother. If I grow up to be anything like these two amazing women, I know I am doing something right.