She has raised me up for the better part of my life...this is where it started.
All who have grown up in the traditional-rural homestead would understand better. My mama got married when i was still a little girl but what i knew pretty even though i was young is that I was not comfortable staying with that other family. So my grandpa gave me an option of staying back with them if I was not happy - this was back in the late 90's of course :-) . I was so happy that I was gonna stay with my grannies and just like any other grandchild, I was excited and had some kind of relief that I was not gonna face any mama's beatings and the noise (you know). The other thing that excited me very much is that I wouldn't have to walk miles barefoot to school because my granny's place was just next door to school. I would literally hear the school bell ring while in bed so you can imagine the comfort.
Well, my family moved and I was left with my grannies. However, my grandpa passed on early in the year 2000 and it was just me and my grandma in the house. I must say it was not easy at all because for all the school matters (especially when I did wrong) the teacher would just hold my cheeks and would shout my granny's name and she would be there in no time - you can guess what would follow. See how grannies do their beatings? They hold both your cheeks, raise you above your feet and spit right on your face as they release you to the ground lol...Eeeew? I know. On weekends she would literally bath me. She had me put water on a basin and put it under the sun to heat and then she would bath me right there with no worries. I know, as a girl it seems uncomfortable but it is something i was so used to. Sad thing is that she would overdo the washing of the feet - after she was done I used to look at my feet and just cry because they were shinny with blood peeping on the skin. The week used to get to the weekend and I would cry knowing that I'm facing the same things again...anyway, thanks to her I now know how to bath lol. To cut the story short (preserving for another day), she raised me well until because as any other kid raised by their grannies is, I was called 'Njoki wa cucu' and that name stuck as if it was always written on my forehead - plus i turned out to be a respectful and responsible woman. She raised me well and I'm always proud of her. The bond that we have cannot be broken. If it's my graduation party, she was the first in the list (actually for my two graduations). For whichever it is, she always comes first in mind. She will call me and ask if I'm visiting her because it seems like ages since I last visited her (bet you that is just like 2 or 3 weeks). And she will be there enticing me with having to cook for me (my favorite).
I think about her everyday and I hope that she will have many more days to live. She is my life. My love. My strength and all I could ask for. It is mutual because she is always happy to have me. She checks on me and I check on her.
Granny, I wish you could read but it's unfortunate you can't - I will tell you the words when I come next. I just want to let you know that you are the best granny in the world for me. Without you I wouldn't be where I am today. You molded me and made me the lady I am today. It was the best awesome thing growing up with you by my side. I will always treasure you and love you till the end of time. I will always pray for you and ask God to keep you for many years to come so that you can continue witnessing my success. I cannot explain how much I adore you. I love you so so much. YOU ARE THE BEST.