Grandma

  Today I had to write a paper on three people I admire. I had a half an hour to finish the assignment and my brain wasn't cooperating with me. On the top of my head came: Queen Elizabeth, mother and Susan B. Anthony. I do admire these women especially my mom and Queen Elizabeth . If I had more time I would have written my Grandmother, who opened a high school for girls in India. Then it struck me, my grandmother had become an after thought to me. That thought really scared me.

  My grandmother was one of the most amazing people to exist. I really wish I could be like my grandmother, she set the tone for many women especially me. The elders of my family say I'm very much like her. I wish she was still alive, she died when I was six but I still remember her. Some people just leave a lasting impact on you and I've never let the memory of her fade from my life. She was different for her time and culture. 

 

  My grandfather was very handsome man he fell in love with her even though she wasn't half as good looking as him plus, she was 6 years older than him. That is considered strange, almost taboo in that culture and especially back then. He loved how intelligent, educated, and passionate she was. After they got married he worked as accountant for a bus station and helped support her in furthering her education. He paid her tuition fees to help her finish her education in a University. He helped her accomplish her dreams, her dream was to make life easier and fairer for young girls. My grandparents saved their money and finally accomplished their dream in their 50s, they opened a high school for poor girls. They didn't do it for profit, they did it to make a difference and they succeeded.

  Many women live in this century don't even to attempt half of what my grandmother did. Some women especially in my family live life like they did before; find a good husband to support, marry him and raise his babies. 

 

 Recently my cousin got married, she used to work as a flight attendant and now all she does is watch soaps and do her husband's laundry. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but my grandmother was a mother, wife, housekeeper, cook and teacher. When she went - so did her way of thinking, the women in my family can't really understand me. Other than my sister - who is 7 years my junior and who I've influenced heavily - all the women in my family(sometimes my mother) think I'm strange.

I really miss my grandmother, I know it sounds ridiculous since she died when I was six. I used to shadow her every waking moment and now she's suddenly become an after thought to me. I feel so ashamed.

 

 If she were alive I would have such a strong and supportive ally.