Grandma’s Faith and Patience

EDITOR: When faced with certain challenges, my grandmother, Ida Ambrose Hutchinson often exclaimed, “Lord, give me faith and patience.” Her husband had migrated to Trinidad leaving her to struggle with five children. Times were hard and she had to “hire out” to make ends meet. The occasional box of groceries from Trinidad was not sufficient to feed the family. She craved acceptance from her siblings, but this was not forthcoming partially because she did not grow up with them.

At an early age she was sent to live with her grandparents as a servant girl to care for them. Oliver William Span AKA “Panapa” and his wife appreciated the help. The old folks relished the cooking, washing, starching and ironing that Ida provided. They counted themselves fortunate because some seniors languished with no one to care for them. Sometimes the occasional neighbour or family would visit with a caring handout. Seniors need reliable daily care, and everyone should plan and make provision for this.

Ida put her trust in God and kept close to her church, but her faith was almost shattered when the pastor visited with an accusation from the brethren that she was working “obeah.” She had just received a set of Morris chairs that arrived from Trinidad. Rumours were that she was too poor to afford such luxury. This brought tears to Ida as she explained that her long absent husband had sent the chairs from Trinidad.

Following the tradition, Ida had a granddaughter living with her, but the child developed many negative deviant habits despite her best child guidance efforts. She was sent away to her father in Trinidad.

When it came to her family inheritance, Ida was given only a house spot. They expected that Ida would inherit her grandparents’ property in lieu of the invaluable care that she had provided them.

Ida must be commended for her patience having to wait in vain for a husband to return from Trinidad or to join him there. In all this, she remained true and faithful to him, her church and her God. Indeed, God had given her the faith and patience she had prayed for.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD