Jamaica

Jamaican families are notorious for being extremely involved and enthusiastic about their children's academic endeavors, however, sometimes their concerns can be quite overbearing. Believe me when I tell you that the day my Granny showed up at my school campus, that's when I knew that the Jamaican family pre-occupation with their children's success was a bit too intense. I was having a normal school day, shuffling back and forth to classes and my school activities, I happen to be strolling by the Dean's office when I thought I saw an image of my Granny. I shrugged it off; I thought it was probably due to sleep depravation since I had been studying the night before. I did a double take just to make sure, and I had been right the first time, it was no other than my Granny sitting like a "pleased puss" in the Dean's office. They were chatting and laughing up a storm, this was startling since the Dean was a very stodgy, strict individual. Everyone on campus feared him. I thought my imagination could be running wild again but here it was my Granny having tea with the Dean. There she was in living color dressed up in her Sunday church dress, hat and gloves, sipping tea and eating cake. At this moment I wanted the ground to open up and take me in. Can you imagine? I'm supposed to be on the verge of adolescence and here it is my Granny shows up at my school. Well, I did the only thing possible; I looked for the nearest exit and tried to leave. There was only one problem with my plan. I forgot that they had Security patrolling the campus, so just as I was about to make my departure; the security guard kindly escorted me to the Dean's office. It was basically a futile attempt to evade my Granny.

There I was, Granny, the Dean and myself. Dean Francis was so stern, that everyone on the campus revered him. I just knew that I was going to receive several demerits and that I would be teased by the other students. I could hear it now "You Granny followed you to school, you couldn't find you way without her?" Well, was I ever surprised, Dean Francis was quite understanding and asked me to join him and Granny for some tea. I thought, "Who are you and what have you done to the Dean?" He said, "your grandmother is quite a charming and amazing woman, she just told me about all the adventure you both have experienced." I laughed nervously and thought, "Huh, we're experiencing one right now." Granny replied, “I was just speaking to Dean Francis, and what a fine gentleman he is, he says you're doing well in school but you ask too many questions during class." I said, "O.K. Granny, is that all don't you have bible study soon?" She said, "No, I'm here for your benefit darling." Then she motioned for me to take a seat and offered me tea, some bulla and grater cake she brought for the Dean.

At this point suffice it to say that I was mortified. Somehow my Granny managed to become best buddies with the Dean and she persuaded him to let her attend classes with me. Mary had her little lamb and I had Granny! For the next few weeks we were inseparable, Granny came to all my classes with me, each time reminding me not to ask so many questions. If that wasn't embarrassing enough, she started to participate in my extra curricular activities. Granny would accompany me to Gymnastics, tennis, track and net ball and she would participate. My coaches would ask for her on days when she was absent, they would say "Where Granny today, tell her she's the spirit of the class." Then I decided to sign myself up for some more activities hoping that Granny would become very tired. Finally after about a few months, she resigned from her chaperoning duties.

She said, "Ms. Mags, Granny can't keep up with you, I don't know how you can do it." My response was, "What's the matter Granny, you don't want to join some more clubs with me?" She said, "No, it's all right, I think you're doing quite well now, besides all this rigorous activity is not good for my arthritis." I though, "Whew! I finally managed to make Granny tired enough to resign." I told my cousins about my Granny's overzealous involvement with my studies, you know what they said? "Welcome to the club, she did the same thing with us!" I only have one question, "Where does she get the energy?" The next time I saw Granny, she was in quite a hurry, I said, "Granny where you going?" "Oh! Didn't I tell you, I'm teaching at your school. That man Dean Francis is a blessed man. He organized the whole thing." I thought, "Great! Just Great!