A Grandmother s lesson
A Grandmother’s Lessons
Dayna Begonia
Eng 121: Composition 1
Instructor: Robert Norman
May 4, 2014
Introduction
My grandmother is petite and round, her hair peppered with gray. Her golden brown skin, wrinkled with age, smells of baby powder and oil. Her eyes are constantly warm, and when she smiles, it is filled with laughter. Mary Shinsato fits the image of a grandmother and more. She is also kind, funny, and wise. This essay is a tribute of the lessons she has taught that have paved a valuable path for me.
Kindess
While Hawaii is considered a melting pot of different races and cultures today, during my grandmother’s time when she was growing up, discrimination was a part of the landscape. Even while she is considered Japanese, my grandparents’ heritage is actually Okinawan. The Okinawans were looked down from the Japanese because they were considered as the laborers and were darker-skinned, and hairier. Even though my grandparents experienced this growing up, I believe it’s the reason they were always accepting and nice to everyone they met. This courtesy and openness has also influenced my oldest son. When my first son Nainoa was born, she offered to watch him when I was ready to go back to work. Before Nainoa was old enough to learn his letters and numbers, his day with her was mostly filled of naps and taking walks in his stroller around the gated community where my grandparents live. During the time Nainoa spent at my grandparents’ home, maintenance workers, neighbors, visitors – all were always greeted as old friends by Mary and she loved to ask how they were doing. Seven years later, Nainoa always says hello to people and is friendly to others. I have no doubt that the reason he is friendly and open is because Mary was one of the first teachers in his life. As an educator, another lesson I valued from Mary is her personalized attention to the way she treated us. In my family, we all love to joke who’s the favorite of the grandchildren.
Dayna Begonia
Eng 121: Composition 1
Instructor: Robert Norman
May 4, 2014
Introduction
My grandmother is petite and round, her hair peppered with gray. Her golden brown skin, wrinkled with age, smells of baby powder and oil. Her eyes are constantly warm, and when she smiles, it is filled with laughter. Mary Shinsato fits the image of a grandmother and more. She is also kind, funny, and wise. This essay is a tribute of the lessons she has taught that have paved a valuable path for me.
Kindess
While Hawaii is considered a melting pot of different races and cultures today, during my grandmother’s time when she was growing up, discrimination was a part of the landscape. Even while she is considered Japanese, my grandparents’ heritage is actually Okinawan. The Okinawans were looked down from the Japanese because they were considered as the laborers and were darker-skinned, and hairier. Even though my grandparents experienced this growing up, I believe it’s the reason they were always accepting and nice to everyone they met. This courtesy and openness has also influenced my oldest son. When my first son Nainoa was born, she offered to watch him when I was ready to go back to work. Before Nainoa was old enough to learn his letters and numbers, his day with her was mostly filled of naps and taking walks in his stroller around the gated community where my grandparents live. During the time Nainoa spent at my grandparents’ home, maintenance workers, neighbors, visitors – all were always greeted as old friends by Mary and she loved to ask how they were doing. Seven years later, Nainoa always says hello to people and is friendly to others. I have no doubt that the reason he is friendly and open is because Mary was one of the first teachers in his life. As an educator, another lesson I valued from Mary is her personalized attention to the way she treated us. In my family, we all love to joke who’s the favorite of the grandchildren.