This has to be one of the most difficult posts to write, but
also one that I am honored to pen down. Al's grandma passed away this month,
just two weeks shy of her 89th birthday. It was extremely sad to
hear that she left us, but what a legacy she has left, hence the title, a family
matriarch. A matriarch is defined as a woman who is the head of a family or a
venerable old woman. She was all of those and much more.
Mrs. Josephine Nazareth decided that she would move to America on her own, after her husband passed away in India. That doesn’t just take guts; it takes independence, drive and an incredibly adventurous spirit. She didn’t know anyone in the US nor did she have any special professional skillset, but she was motivated to make it big; to live the American dream. I know several people have that dream but not a single woman who did it on her own and no less, back in 1970s New York City. Back then NYC wasn’t the expensive touristy trap we all know now, but a lot grittier and known as the big ‘rotten’ apple. Not only did she make that cross-continental move, she sponsored all her five children and their families to settle in the US. She was an enabler and has left behind a successful family line, filled with intelligent, funny and loving children, grandchildren and great-grandkids.
I hope that I can someday leave that legacy for my family but at least she’s given us all something high and remarkable to aim for. We all love you and will miss you heaps, grandma.
Mrs. Josephine Nazareth decided that she would move to America on her own, after her husband passed away in India. That doesn’t just take guts; it takes independence, drive and an incredibly adventurous spirit. She didn’t know anyone in the US nor did she have any special professional skillset, but she was motivated to make it big; to live the American dream. I know several people have that dream but not a single woman who did it on her own and no less, back in 1970s New York City. Back then NYC wasn’t the expensive touristy trap we all know now, but a lot grittier and known as the big ‘rotten’ apple. Not only did she make that cross-continental move, she sponsored all her five children and their families to settle in the US. She was an enabler and has left behind a successful family line, filled with intelligent, funny and loving children, grandchildren and great-grandkids.
I hope that I can someday leave that legacy for my family but at least she’s given us all something high and remarkable to aim for. We all love you and will miss you heaps, grandma.
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