GC Mother’s Day Message: Grandma’s Baby, Mama’s Maybe

By Robin Caldwell

For though my father and my mother have forsaken me, the LORD will take me up. (Psalm 27: 10 God’s Word Version)

About 20 percent of the black folks I know were raised by their grandmothers. Grandma either had sole custody and guardianship or she played a major role in my friends’ upbringings.

Wait! I was raised by my grandmother too. I’m included in that number.

For the record, I have many fond memories of my mother. My mother was the first person who explained the existence of God to me, in a way that I could wrap my child’s brain around and comprehend. She did it in a manner that I’ve used over the years to explain His existence to little people and older people alike. After I asked “How do you know there is a God?” she answered, “Look at the trees; how did they get here? Then you have to ask who put the stars in the sky…” My mother concluded that humans could not stand on enough ladders to put the stars in the sky or create the seed that created the seed that created the seed and so on that would become a tree.

That’s something I’ll never forget.

My mother also had a love for social dancing and would put on popular records from her day and slide between two doorstops and dance her behind off. I watched and mimicked her often. As a result of dancing by myself or even with her, I’m in love with dance and all of its many forms.

If you want me to cry, take me to the ballet. If you want me to dance until I drop sweat, play some funky music.

One last memory: My mother taught me how to appreciate, truly appreciate a rainy day. To this day in 2008, if I hear the trickle of raindrops against the window pane, I smile. Not only do I smile, I give myself permission to be pensive and relaxed – two things my mother said one should do on a rainy day. She also said that rainy days make for the best sleep and naps were required. On a rainy day, I will stretch and yawn and take a nap, if possible. If not, I will go to bed earlier than usual or fall asleep on the sofa with the television watching me.