When I find a really good book, I usually read it twice. It is the same with a good movie. This was the case with a movie I discovered on Netflix called “In Our Mothers’ Gardens.” Women from Africa, Antigua, Jamaica and New Orleans shared stories about how they honor their mothers, aunts, grandmothers and female ancestors. These traditions follow the matriarchal line.
This movie stirred me because I could relate to its larger message of empowerment. I am half Italian and half Ukrainian. I grew up next door to my Ukrainian grandparents and knew that both of them left their homeland, at a young age, to begin a new life in this country. My father’s mother ventured half way across the globe, alone, at the age of 16, without knowing the English language! Knowing this about my Grandmother has always astounded me.
There have been many times in my life, when I’ve needed courage to do something challenging and found it rather quickly, by remembering my Ukrainian Grandmother’s strength, courage and determination. Whatever I was trying to accomplish, was nothing compared to what she did at 16! When I remember her experience, my fears are put into perspective, instantly.
A few years ago, I learned through genealogy, that both of my Italian grandparents traveled alone, across the globe at young ages, too. When I learned this and then realized that all four of my grandparents left everything they knew to create a new life, it affected me deeply. It changed how I saw myself because I realized that these qualities are alive in me, too. I believe that my Grandparents’ determination is in my DNA. I am very grateful for this.
I will share something personal. Each morning, I light a candle to honor my parents, grandparents and all of my ancestors. All of them have passed on to the next world. I’ve been honoring them this way, for about 5 years. It fills my heart to do this.
Our culture doesn’t have a natural propensity to honor. There is a greater tendency to worship things like money, celebrities and professional athletes, who act like spoiled children. Why? What is the higher purpose in this? Are our children benefiting by having these kinds of role models? What does it say about our priorities as humans, as parents and as a country?
I believe, with my whole heart, that we need to Honor our Elders.
Watching “In Our Mothers’ Gardens” stirred me to make a decision, to return to something I did 10 years ago. I gathered women in circle to celebrate and honor Grandmothers. There is a great need to do this, to correct the imbalance that has existed for too many centuries. In Native American traditions, the word Grandmother was a word of respect. It did not necessarily mean that the woman had grandchildren. It meant that because of her years, she had acquired wisdom and that the tribe would benefit from seeking her counsel. Historically, many tribes did this on a regular basis. An example is that they would seek the counsel of the Grandmothers about when and where to move the tribe.
These Grandmother circles will be a return to what “Grandmother” used to mean. They will encourage Female Elders to stand tall, feel their wisdom, remember their role and strengthen their voices. We are living at a time when the Earth could use a lot more wisdom.
And so, with this article, I set an intention to begin circles to honor women in the Grandmother stage of life, again. The first one may be held on Saturday, April 9, which is my Ukrainian Grandmother’s birthday. They will be called “Grandmothers of the Earth.” The details will be listed under Events, on my website: https://thelargerpicture.com
Stay tuned, a lot more is stirring!