Too often we live without celebrating what and who ought to be celebrated only to regret when time says it’s too late or it’s no longer relevant.

These days should cause us to really ponder the premium we place on the things and people that are most precious to us, so as to not miss this opportunity. If the state of the world doesn’t bring to bear what ought to be fought for, if it doesn’t challenge the soul to reach out to salvage what appears to be in disrepute, if it doesn’t force the urgency of correcting all in our power that we can correct, then we’ve found ourselves in a dark, selfish and lonely place where our spirit is most likely and unknowingly hopeless and blinded by too much materialism and pride to notice. No reason to celebrate there.

But I am grateful, that in my God-given 43rd year of life I am keenly aware and continuing  learn at the Master’s feet, of what is important to celebrate and what is worth fighting for. Whether spurred on, unsupported, rightly or wrongly judged or standing alone, I chose to celebrate! I celebrate my grandmother and mother and fight for the legacy and spirit of my family which my grandmother saw fit to fight for and never gave up!

Martha Virginia Stanislaus George is my personification of strength, grace and security. How she afforded her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren a safe place in Calder Hall, Tobago and in her arms- under her tutelage and care- is a mystery and a heroic display of determination all in one. Surviving, caring for and burying most of her immediate family as a young woman, the loss of most of her inheritance, a less than ideal marriage, trying single parent years but armed with her faith in God and the strength that developed from the journey life had dealt thus far, she arose to become an astute entrepreneur, teacher and respected community leader and activist. An example left and triumph worth celebrating! 

Today August 1st and Emancipation day in my beloved country of Trinidad and Tobago, my grandmother who passed away at the age of 97, would have been 104 years old! 

Angela George Smith, my mom and my grandmother’s first daughter, is also my personification of strength, grace and security. Sounds familiar? For all I put my mother through in her life, she is still standing and that’s a reason to celebrate and to celebrate her! Over the many years, from the age of 2 years, I faced serious health challenges that kept and still at times keep my mother too busy, to say the least. 

Sacrifices upon sacrifices made time and again over the years for her family and many times unappreciated by those closest to us, I refuse to be in that circle and rather remain committed to defending her when her silence is mistaken for weakness. Still she possesses strength to believe and see the best in the worse of actions and situations, the humility to bend to make things right, the heart to forgive and be vulnerable again. Despite the challenges of yesterday my mom begins each day again with renewed hope. She greets the day and me every morning as if we just arrived home from a month long trip. 

Thankfully my mom celebrated her 67th birthday on July 16th, as she puts it “one of her best birthdays”, with more strength, grace and security to impart for many many more years to come!

When I closely examine my lineage and think about all I have been through and all I still endure, I understand where my strength comes from, why and where my faith in God was birth and why God has tasked me with the mandate to challenge us all to fight for the security of our family relations and to celebrate what ought to be celebrated! We should all embark on such self reflection and find the purpose in the journey.

I celebrate my Granny this day and my mom in a special way as they both have laid the path for me as leaders in their own right, entrepreneurs and hard working and caring women; as this seed of Olive Tree Foundation is planted in ground with certain promise of producing good and eternal fruit! 

As a child, I remember my grandmother outside in the yard on mornings, sweeping up the yard, feeding the fowls, pruning up her plants and undoubtedly returning to the house with eggs, vegetables from her garden- lettuce and ochroes maybe- but surely some bush to make tea! It would be olive bush, lime bud or grater wood. Nowadays, I watch my mom make her way outside on mornings in the very same yard and return with her lettuce, ochroes, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, the odd cauliflower that made it; and lemongrass, tulsi and guava leaves for tea! Simply amazing! Not much has changed yet so much has changed.

I am striving to follow closely in their footsteps and in their honour with Olive Tree Foundation and Olive Tree Wellness Teas! There’s more than enough reason to give God thanks and to celebrate!