Allie Mae Smith: A Single Mother's Life

My Grandma Matley is a big part of my life. She has been there through all of it with me. This was the biggest thing she has ever done for me.

My nana was someone who throughout my life, always pushed me to do my best. She continually inspired me to be strong and independent, while never letting me forget it’s okay to lean on others when you’re down. It was the simple things she did that made me want to follow her every step; the way her sparkling sapphire eyes brought life to every conversation, the way she danced around the kitchen to Michael Buble while she cleaned, or the astounding way she always knew what to say to exile my fears. There was an aura about her that drew people in, she was the type of person to make a friend in the doughnut isle at Meijer and call them once a month to see how they’re doing (true story); she was truly pure and selfless. Everybody deserves to have someone like my nana in their lives to pick them up when they fall, to comfort them when they’re scared, but most importantly to show them how to be strong and level- headed when life challenges you in the most unexpected ways.

I learned how Ida B. Wells-Barnett started her life. Born as a slave, orphaned at 16, she became a teacher to support her surviving brothers and sisters. With the difficult circumstances brought upon her, it took an amazing amount of determination for her to fight for black civil rights and women’s rights in the 19th century. In a more civilized age, it’s harder to witness the courage she represented for the disadvantaged.

Growing up was not such an easy task for me. There came a time where I needed support far more than anyone person could provide, except for one, she was exceptional she was my rock, she held my world together she is my Grandmother. My Grandmother was not just my Grandmother; she was also my friend, my provider, and my savior because without her I would have more than likely taken a very wrong path in life.

First, there were certain times when my grandma had taken care of me while I was sick or needed her. I used to run high fevers when I was kid. There were times when I couldn’t wear anything but a t-shit with over a one hundred degree temperature. She cared about the importance of our family and put us before herself. She would stay up with me all night to make sure I was comfortable and safe so my parents could sleep. The amount of love and perspective she had shown and given me makes me want to follow her footsteps in my future.

Born in a rural community in Northeast Mississippi to a single mother, Allie Mae Smith, she was the middle child of three children, an older sister and a younger brother. My grandmother often reminisces about her childhood, from her life in a multi-generational household, living alongside her grandpa, great-grandma, her mother, and her siblings. They lived on a plot of land that they owned, where they nourished a thriving farm which was used for food. She would work in the fields during the day and cook the harvest by nightfall. Although, the work was demanding, it was a life envied by many in a time when most African-Americans were deprived of rights. Her goal was to make sure she got an education so would never have to work in another field.

My Aunty Dawn brought me into a better surrounding by taking me away from the bad things in the world she did teach me that I will always run into bad things in the world. My mom and dad a.k.a Josh,papa,pop and all different kinds of names was both a part of it, they both were there through the whole thing. I am very pleased that I have parents like my mom and dad. They both have gone through a lot. My dad had to tell everything that he did when he was little. My mom was the only one who could see me she had to be by herself.

She has this amazing spirit and lovable personality that is impossible to dislike.She is an independent, smart, a great cooker, and a caring person. She always used to say “Do good without looking who”.

She has helped me decide what direction I would take in deciding what degree I would attain. She always expresses that nobody will be a better advocate for myself than me. She has instilled in me a drive to excel in college.

My mother is an important person in my life. She is a Strong, disciplined and a super woman who has spent her life in her endeavor to become a successful. Born in a middle class Indian family, she faced many challenges and overcame hurdles in life to achieve her goals. She followed her passion towards education and goal of becoming a top most scale-1 officer in a bank. Her ability and focus developed the bank business resulted in substantial growth and huge profits. She was a real inspiration and I followed her ideals in my life.

My mother is the most important person in my life because the bond we share is like no other she is my mentor, guide, and protector and I love her more than anyone will ever know. My mother and I have been threw a lot of tough times fun times important times and disappointing times together but the one that catches my eye the most is the time when my great grandmother was sick and only had a few days left to live and without my mom there I have no clue how the family would have took it.

Growing up was not such an easy task for me. There came a time where I needed support far more than any one person could provide, except for one. She is exceptional she was my rock, she held my world together she is my Grandmother. My Grandmother is not just my Grandmother; she is also my friend, my provider, and my savior because without her I would have more than likely taken a very wrong path in life.

I am from a loving mother who has raised me my whole life. She had the help of my grandmother for 8 years of it, so I can say that I was very much a grandma’s girl growing up. Being raised by my mom and grandmother showed me two independent women taking care of me. My mom would go to work and so my grandma was there to wake me up and get me ready for school. She would fix my hair, make me my breakfast and lunch and drop me off at school for the day with my best friend growing up. She was there when I got out and made sure my friend and I got our homework done before we could go outside and play. She made me dinner and watched TV with me. There would be days when she wanted to go on a drive and I wanted to go with her. My grandma was a huge part of my life growing up. Where she went, I went with her.

Growing up my grandma was a very influential person in my life , and we were very close. I would go over to her house on friday nights for a sleepover and always beg mom to let me stay another night. We would go swimming, color, and she would teach me how to cook. Along with her other hobbies her main one was bowling , my Grandma always loved to bowl and she was on a senior bowling league . She was so strong for a 75 year old woman she bowled with a 15 pound bowling ball I couldn 't even throw. I would go with her to the bowling league sometimes and she had so many friends , Everyone loved my grandma in fact she was my dad 's mom and after my parents divorced my mom still called her everyday and had her over for family gatherings, everyone

“ My grandmother knew what life was all about; no one ever left her house with an empty belly, without getting a hug ,also without hearing I love you. She touched the heart and soul of everyone that met her but none other than me.” She was always there for me and everyone else in our family. She’s what you would call “the rock” of the family because she knew how to keep us all together and going.