Loving this reflection so much. I, too, am at a stage of life where the wisdom of my grandmothers is a constant presence. They were my age when I was falling in love with them. I find myself repeating them without even trying.
I have also been pressing imagined conversations with one of my great-grandmothers and one of my third great-grandmothers. I’ve endeavored to see certain aspects of their lives within a social, political and historical context. What did Emancipation Day feel like? What did it mean to see her son register to vote? What did the preachers, poets, mothers, teachers say when the federal government abandoned Black people? How did you face the first end of an experiment with multi-racial democracy?
What we know is that, in the valley of the shadow of death, Black people built institutions and cultivated beauty and wisdom. In the nadir, four generations of grandmothers made a way out of no way.
Michael-Ray, I love everything about your reflection here. So rich. Thank you. Have you shared any written work about these sacred conversations with your foremothers? I would love to read more. Meanwhile, honoring them... and you. /|\
Thank you for this! My grandmother has started appearing to me in dreams recently, and it feels like something within the earth is being woken and sending us these grandmother messages. ❤️
I love this, Kristin, thank you -- yes!! (Or maybe that "something" has been whispering all along, and more of us are finally growing our ability to listen!) <3
Oh I needed this. As a grandmother, and as someone who wants to help our world move towards peace, I try to harness that strength that I witnessed in my grandmother and mother. I am so grateful to them. I love your writing and look forward to reading your book.
Side note: my grandchildren and I are “growing” butterflies from caterpillars. And I can’t stop thinking about your essay about the “imagination cells.” I hope to inspire those cells in my grandchildren, so they too will imagine a better world. Thank you.
What a beautiful comment, Terri. Thank you so much for ALL that you shared! (Also, there was a children's book, if it's still available, that talks about metamorphosis and imaginal cells... I'll have to see if i can find the title and author for you!)
So excited for your book to arrive in the world, Liza! It's the medicine we need in these times. Thank you for stewarding light and truth in all the ways you do.
Congratulations on your book, Liza! And thank you for bringing me back to awareness of the power of being a grandmother, and that particular spirit we can carry within.
I felt my grandmother spirit evoked as I read your piece. You have reminded me to be mindful of the place that I/we as elders inhabit between the ancestors and the generations following us and that our children and grandchildren are lifted and inspired by the fullness of how we live our lives.
Wonderful news about your book, Liza. I am so happy for you, Congratulations!
Thank you so much, dear Rika. It is, indeed, a powerful place we inhabit between the generations. I think a lot about how grateful I am for those who eldered me, and it calls me to show up more intentionally (and with more generosity of spirit) now that I am stepping into that role. I feel like I still fall short most of the time, but day-by-day… <3
I have been thinking about my paternal grandmother a lot recently as my undergrad career comes to a close; she's illiterate and here I am, graduating from a top school without debt. I've only ever been in her physical presence twice in my life, once when I was a newborn and the other when I was 12. I don't know what a grandmother is supposed to feel like per se, but I appreciate this piece as a framework to give myself more grace, care, and encouragement throughout my days.
SAJH, thank you so much for sharing part of your story. (And congratulations on completing your undergraduate studies!) I think our biological grandmothers can feel all kind of ways, and those relationships may or may not embody what I am getting at in this piece. Sometimes the distance between our familial experience and the more "archetypal" description can feel painful... but the "grandmother spirit" -- as I am using it here -- is available to ALL of us, regardless of how well we know our physical grandmothers, or what kind of people they are (or were). What you say about using this as a framework to give yourself more grace, care, and encouragement is beautiful! I'm so glad if this writing can help open that door. <3 And, also, I believe in the value of intergenerational relationships... those may be with elders in our own family, or elders who become mentors or encouragers along the way. I really appreciate your comment!
I am so much looking forward to your book, Liza! This one excerpt has so much richness, including the reminder that what is urgent is not always what is important, and the beautiful invitation to think with a grandmother‘s mind. I am so glad you have a publisher for this gift that will go out into the world.
Thank you so much, dear Maia. I always appreciate your comments, and seeing what spoke to you in the writing. Sending solidarity for your own book-in-progress!
Loving this reflection so much. I, too, am at a stage of life where the wisdom of my grandmothers is a constant presence. They were my age when I was falling in love with them. I find myself repeating them without even trying.
I have also been pressing imagined conversations with one of my great-grandmothers and one of my third great-grandmothers. I’ve endeavored to see certain aspects of their lives within a social, political and historical context. What did Emancipation Day feel like? What did it mean to see her son register to vote? What did the preachers, poets, mothers, teachers say when the federal government abandoned Black people? How did you face the first end of an experiment with multi-racial democracy?
What we know is that, in the valley of the shadow of death, Black people built institutions and cultivated beauty and wisdom. In the nadir, four generations of grandmothers made a way out of no way.
I have my instructions.
Michael-Ray, I love everything about your reflection here. So rich. Thank you. Have you shared any written work about these sacred conversations with your foremothers? I would love to read more. Meanwhile, honoring them... and you. /|\
I feel like my grandmothers suggested you ask about my writing. 😂. I am working on it, inspired by you, our late mentor Dorsey Blake, and many others.
LOL! Yeah, the Ancestors stay busy... and WILL get a message through.
I can't wait to read what emerges!
Thank you for this! My grandmother has started appearing to me in dreams recently, and it feels like something within the earth is being woken and sending us these grandmother messages. ❤️
I love this, Kristin, thank you -- yes!! (Or maybe that "something" has been whispering all along, and more of us are finally growing our ability to listen!) <3
Oh I needed this. As a grandmother, and as someone who wants to help our world move towards peace, I try to harness that strength that I witnessed in my grandmother and mother. I am so grateful to them. I love your writing and look forward to reading your book.
Side note: my grandchildren and I are “growing” butterflies from caterpillars. And I can’t stop thinking about your essay about the “imagination cells.” I hope to inspire those cells in my grandchildren, so they too will imagine a better world. Thank you.
What a beautiful comment, Terri. Thank you so much for ALL that you shared! (Also, there was a children's book, if it's still available, that talks about metamorphosis and imaginal cells... I'll have to see if i can find the title and author for you!)
Huge congratulations on moving this project forward and thank you for offering it to the world 🙏🏻
Thank you, David! And I look forward to your wonderful book entering the world when the time comes! <3
So excited for your book to arrive in the world, Liza! It's the medicine we need in these times. Thank you for stewarding light and truth in all the ways you do.
Thank you so much, Sonya. I appreciate your affirmation /|\
Congratulations on your book, Liza! And thank you for bringing me back to awareness of the power of being a grandmother, and that particular spirit we can carry within.
Thank you, Peggy. And yes, there is so much power in that grandmother spirit! I see it in you! <3
I felt my grandmother spirit evoked as I read your piece. You have reminded me to be mindful of the place that I/we as elders inhabit between the ancestors and the generations following us and that our children and grandchildren are lifted and inspired by the fullness of how we live our lives.
Wonderful news about your book, Liza. I am so happy for you, Congratulations!
Thank you so much, dear Rika. It is, indeed, a powerful place we inhabit between the generations. I think a lot about how grateful I am for those who eldered me, and it calls me to show up more intentionally (and with more generosity of spirit) now that I am stepping into that role. I feel like I still fall short most of the time, but day-by-day… <3
Congratulations🌿🙏🏽🌿
Thank you so much, dear Belvie <3
I have been thinking about my paternal grandmother a lot recently as my undergrad career comes to a close; she's illiterate and here I am, graduating from a top school without debt. I've only ever been in her physical presence twice in my life, once when I was a newborn and the other when I was 12. I don't know what a grandmother is supposed to feel like per se, but I appreciate this piece as a framework to give myself more grace, care, and encouragement throughout my days.
SAJH, thank you so much for sharing part of your story. (And congratulations on completing your undergraduate studies!) I think our biological grandmothers can feel all kind of ways, and those relationships may or may not embody what I am getting at in this piece. Sometimes the distance between our familial experience and the more "archetypal" description can feel painful... but the "grandmother spirit" -- as I am using it here -- is available to ALL of us, regardless of how well we know our physical grandmothers, or what kind of people they are (or were). What you say about using this as a framework to give yourself more grace, care, and encouragement is beautiful! I'm so glad if this writing can help open that door. <3 And, also, I believe in the value of intergenerational relationships... those may be with elders in our own family, or elders who become mentors or encouragers along the way. I really appreciate your comment!
I am so much looking forward to your book, Liza! This one excerpt has so much richness, including the reminder that what is urgent is not always what is important, and the beautiful invitation to think with a grandmother‘s mind. I am so glad you have a publisher for this gift that will go out into the world.
Thank you so much, dear Maia. I always appreciate your comments, and seeing what spoke to you in the writing. Sending solidarity for your own book-in-progress!