My Grandmother Taught Me Compassion

          Can you imagine a world with no sound, a world where no one can hear your voice?  My grandmother was born into a world with no ability to hear and no voice to speak, a world of total deafness.  She often felt alone and terrified. Everyday tasks to my grandmother were extremely difficult, if not impossible to do.  Some of the simplest tasks were turned into painstaking struggles.  So badly I had wished I could give her my hearing, just to ease the pain of everyday life.  To me my grandmother was perfect but to others she was an oddity.

            My grandmother was always a significant part of my life.  I didn’t realize how different she was until one day my grandmother and I ran to the market to run a few quick errands. As we cashed out, my grandmother could not hear or communicate with the cashier.  This caused my grandmother to become overwhelmed with confusion and frustration.  At this very moment, everything tumbled down on me.  For the first time in my life I had realized my grandmother was living in another world.  She was hearing impaired and handicapped.  I had never thought that such pain could erupt out of such a simple everyday task. I was beside her as she struggled. I watched her experience such heartache and sadness.  I felt as though I could not relieve her feeling of helplessness.  I wanted to do anything to make her feel as “normal” as I saw her to be. 

          Growing up with this in my life and being beside my grandmother as she struggled has been an impacting experience.  I learned about her handicap and the disabilities of others in the world. I now know I will always have a sensitive spot in my heart for that.  No matter where life may take me I will always be aware and willing to help those a little less fortunate..

          I learned from my grandmother by being beside her as she struggled.  Although she may be deaf that never broke her spirit.  She has always been a strong willed woman who never let other people’s cruel words bring her down.  With all of the difficulties in her life, she accomplished all of her goals and with a smile on her face.  She has the kindest heart and a will to succeed.  Not only has she taught me to be more caring and concerned for others, but she has given me motivation and strength to accomplish my dreams.

          I look at my grandmother and see all of the great things that she has achieved in her lifetime while always being kind and generous to others.  I would always think to myself, if she has the strength to persevere even with all the hardships in her life then I do too. She is one of the driving forces behind me being in pharmacy school.  Although it may be difficult, I know that I have what it takes to succeed.  Throughout my path to becoming a pharmacist, I have dealt with struggles that many people my age are not forced to face.  No matter how painful or hard it was to continue pushing forward I never gave up.  I have my grandmother, mother and father to thank for that.

          I  have learned from my elders as the Native Americans do from theirs.  Native Americans pass down their life lessons through story telling.  Native American culture has a tradition of respecting family and honoring their elders.   Their cultural values enhance their sense of community and give them strength during tough times.  Native Americans believe that their elders have knowledge and wisdom which they have gained over the years.  Elders are said to be libraries of knowledge, history and tradition for the Indians.
          Although I may not learn all of my life lessons through story telling as the Indians do, I do agree with many of the traditional Native American culture values.  I learn from my parents and grandparents by watching them deal with the hardships of life.   These are the people that raised me; the people whom I spent the majority of my time with growing up as a child.  I respect and honor them.   I have always watched and observed how my elders reacted and dealt with problems that were handed to them.   I could not be more proud of the people they are today. They are what I emulate to be.