Dear Gmama

It is past Mothers Day, but there should never be a day that goes by where we don't honor the women in our lives who raised us. Here's a letter from Fatimah, one of our young women from SAFIRE, to the woman in her life that made her the leader that she is today.

Gmama

Dear Gmama,

I thank you for everything you have done for me, I know it wasn’t easy to raise 7 kids including me. We’ve been through it all, to have no money to have everything we wanted. It wasn’t easy for me growing up, my dad left when I was at a young age. Not only that, my mother left once I was born. As I was growing up I didn’t have any perfect parent’s figures, all I had was you, and you took care of me like I was your own child. Once I finally met my dad, I was angry at him because he made feel like I was unwanted. You explained why my dad had to leave, he had to leave so he can provide for us. It took a while for me to understand the whole situation.

Organizing youth in Oakland

I’m closer to you than to anyone else, you know me more than I know my self. You’re 58 years old and still working hard just to get me what I want, never once complain how hard or tiring is it to work 5 days a week. You have been there for me for my whole life and I appreciate it. I never have a mother figure in my life and everyday you show me that you are the perfect mother figure to me. I know sometimes we bump heads, but I know when I need something you’ll be there for me.

Every morning before I leave school you would make me hot chocolate and sometimes pack me lunch, little things you do for me make everything so much easier. I like how you make sure everything okay with me everyday, call me or txt me, even though it gets annoying. All you want is the best for me. I know I disappoint you sometimes but you never once gave up on me. I’m proud to say that you are my grandmother, because you are the best grandmother anyone could have. Even though you always told me to be independent, I don’t think I could ever live life without you. You meant so much to me. I have mad respect and love for you. You are the reason why I’m chasing my dreams, because I want you to see me have success. I know I can’t take care of you like you took care of me. But one day I will make it happen, I promise.

Love, Your granddaughter