Mrs. Rubena Rose-Anderson was born in Palmers Cross, Clarendon, Jamaica to a poverty-stricken family. Because she was one of 11 children, my grandmother was forced to grow up at an early age. At the age of 16, her father became ill with cancer and her mother passed away a year later. She then was seen as the mother figure of her younger siblings. After she married my grandfather, Silburn Anderson, in 1967 they then had 3 children. In 1979, she made an incredible decision by leaving her three children and husband behind in order to receive better opportunities here in America. Once she had a steady job and enough money, she was reunited with her husband and children in 1981. I admire my grandmother greatly and she has influenced me making me a very determined person.
This sacrifice taught me that sometimes in life we as people have to make very challenging choices in order to receive the best long term results. Growing up, she always reminded me to think for the future and not just in the now. She has also taught me to become independent. By being forced to be a mother figure at the young age of 17, she had to learn how to everything on her own, raise 10 children, and take care of her ill father. This is the reason why I always try my hardest to get the best out of life. I feel that I should always take advantage of every great opportunity. If my grandmother could accomplish so much throughout