On March 16, 2010, I got the news that my grandmother had passed away that afternoon. The shock of her death overwhelmed me. I sat in silence for almost five minutes remembering the moments I spent with her.
I spent most of my time with my grandmother after I came to the United States. When I was in elementary and middle school I would go to my grandmother’s house every day after school and stayed with her until my parents came home from work. At first I didn’t want to be there because I thought spending the afternoon inside the house with an old woman was boring, I wanted to go outside and play with my friends. My grandmother was blind so I had to be there to lead her and give her things that she needed. It didn’t take much to make her happy, all we had to do was give her tea, turn on her radio and give her food whenever she was hungry and that was enough to bring her through the day.
I remember combing her hair one day as she listened to the audio bible, and as the reader began to read Psalms 71 she started crying, lifting up her hands towards heaven and crying “Lord have mercy upon me your humble servant.” She then will begin to worship the Lord as she sung an old time hymnal. Her reaction to the reading was nothing new because she was a woman that worshipped and praised the Lord despite of what she was going through. There was not a day she doubted God for anything.
During my high school years I didn’t go to her house after school anymore because I was busy with school programs and sports. The only time I would see her was at church, and when I went to pay her a visit from time to time. Although, the time I spent with her was less she was still a great inspiration to me. She would always encourage me to stay strong in the Lord no matter what. She would remind me over and over to stay away from sinful things that will separate me from the Lord. She would even begin to tell me about her past mistakes and how she doesn’t want me to make the same mistakes. I was grateful for her encouragements and words of wisdom. I was truly blessed to have a grandmother that served the Lord with all her heart for over 63 years.
As the time drew closer for me to go to college, grandma pulled me aside one day in church and asked if she can pray with me. As she began to pray in tongues I felt the anointing of God pouring down upon me, I felt a stronger and bolder in the spirit. That prayer increased my strength and boldness to face the obstacles in college. College wasn’t easy there were many demonic forces I had to fight; I thank God for that prayer.
My second year in college I got the news that my grandmother was diagnose with brain tumor. The news caused chills to run down my body because most people I know that had brain tumor passed away. The last thing I wanted was for grandmother to go. As the days went by I heard about the affects the tumor had on her mind and the many times she was in the hospital. I felt so sorry for her because to me she didn’t deserve it. The next year my aunt was retiring and returning to Jamaica. We taught it might have been the best solution if she took my grandmother with her because she wouldn’t have to deal with the harsh winter weathers, and there will be more people in Jamaica to help take care of her. Before she left my dad called the whole family together to have an appreciation service for my grandmother. We all took turns in telling my grandmother how much she meant to us. As we all went up to the microphone I saw the tears run down her cheeks as she sit quietly and listen to all the thanks and warm words of encouragement. That was the last time I saw my grandmother alive. After that day I went back to college and she went to Jamaica shortly after.
On the day of her funeral, March 27, 2010, I walked into the church not knowing what to expect. As I walked up to her coffin, I saw her laying there peaceful. Laying there in that coffin I saw a woman that was triumphant, a fighter, a prayer worrier, a great church mother, a great role model, and a great grandmother. There was no reason to cry for her because I know that one day I will see her again. She has run the race well, completed her task and is now resting. She is resting from all her pain, heartaches, disappointments, and misunderstandings. I believe that my grandmother was ready to meet the Lord and on March 16th when the Lord called her away, I know that all of her work on earth was not in vain. She has touched many lives with the word of God and the life that she lived. If we were to ever write a book about her life it would be the best seller because she was a phenomenal woman.
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