Women’s History Month is a time of year to celebrate the women who play an important role in our lives. The Sidekick staff writer Gia Mukund shares her gratitude to her grandmother, Vanaja Manicka, for guiding her through life and making her the person she is today. Photo courtesy Prashanthi Manicka.
The first thought that usually comes to a person’s mind when they think of their grandmother is a sweet, loving and caring person. This is a very true fact, at least when it comes to my grandma. However, she is much more than those characteristics.
Vanaja Manicka, my grandma, is a strong woman. The strength of women is often overlooked. To be strong internally, you do not need to be physically strong — I believe my grandma exemplifies exactly this.
My grandma has been my mentor since I could talk, which is why I look up to her. She is the strongest woman I know because she has dealt with a lot to make her the woman she is today. The responsibilities of raising three kids, dealing with medical conditions and keeping up with events around her have made her a busy person. But, she has managed to do it all and continues to this day.
She has always taught me to be a kind person, something she stands out in. My grandma is kind, even when she does not need to be, and this action has resonated with me. I try to be kind every chance I get because I learned from my grandma how being a good person can make one feel.
Nonetheless, good qualities are not the only thing I have learned from my grandma. Growing up, I never cared to try anything with my hair. One day when visiting my grandma in India, she told me I could braid my hair with the length it was finally at. She braided my hair, but I eventually tried doing it on my own. At first, I was very bad at it, but I got better with her help. Just like that, I learned a bunch of other skills I never thought I would have previously cared about.
My grandma has always had a huge impact on my life and I am so grateful for the experiences and memories I have had with her. I will continue to implement the characteristics that have made me the person I am, from everything my grandma has made me.
She is a woman to be recognized.
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