Listen Up: Gratefulness

BY CHERIE BUCKNER-WEBB

As the holidays approach, my elders are all around me. Though they have passed on, they seem to show up in a big way this time of year. Their words, wit, and wisdom wash over me. I marvel at the strength of the women who made a way out of no way and left a firm foundation for me. My grandmother, Pearl Emeline Johnson, was the most elegant woman. A strong woman of faith, not given to gratuitous conversation, Nanny demonstrated grace and much gratitude in every aspect of her life. Her first words in the morning and the last at night were prayers of thanks. When my brother and I spent the night with her, she prayed with us at night and woke us up to do the same in the morning.

That amazing woman worked hard: stoked three stoves to heat her home, raised rabbits and chickens, and maintained a huge vegetable garden and a beautifully landscaped front yard. She did laundry in an old wringer washing machine, used bluing to ensure the whites were just right, and took great pride in ironing. She was an artist at “puttin’ up” (canning) beautiful fruits and vegetables. She was an active member of St. Paul Baptist Church, serving as Mother of the Church, and she ran a boarding house in her home! No complaints, just gratitude.

My grandparents raised eight children in a segregated Arkansas. Idaho provided opportunities unimaginable in Van Buren. Nanny made few references directly about the trials and tribulations of living in an environment that offered little or no respect, economic or educational opportunity for her family. But she shared regularly how much she appreciated being in Idaho. She could be heard saying “thank you Lord” on the daily after settling in Boise. And she demonstrated her gratitude by the way she lived. No matter what was going on, she expressed gratefulness and was purposeful in sharing the same to generations of Johnsons and her community. She wanted all to know and appreciate how far the family had come. She shared all she had generously to any she could help.

My Grandmother and mentor, Pearl Emeline Johnson demonstrated the power of being grateful every day.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERIE BUCKNER-WEBB

Pearl was quietly powerful and shared so many concise “pearls of wisdom.” As I grew up, I came to realize that the source of her strength was embedded in her history, her faith, and her humanity. Her legacy included lifelong demonstrations of gratitude. She encouraged us to demonstrate genuine gratitude and appreciation and never to forget from “whence we came.”

She believed that gratitude:

• is healing

• makes you feel alive

• breaks down barriers

• improves relationships

• is good for your mind, body, and spirit

• increases generosity and sharing

She taught me not to be concerned about what others do, but rather to concentrate on our “charge to keep” (the right thing to do).

She cautioned that some folks have to go through something in order to get to a place of gratitude. My grandmother had a mantra that I remember still today:

Thank you Father:

• for awakening this morning clothed in my right mind

• for the use of my limbs

• for life, health, and strength

• for the blood running warm in my veins

• that my bed was not my cooling board

• for another day’s journey

I am so grateful for my grandmother.