Clarke Central High School junior Tecoya Richardson is held by her grandma, Lula Fambrough, in 2003. Richardson has lived with her grandmother for five years and she worries about how their relationship will change once she leaves for college in 2020. Photo courtesy of Lula Fambrough
Variety staffer Tecoya Richardson speaks on how her relationship with her grandma may change once she leaves for college.
Ever since I was a little kid, my grandma and I have been joined at the hip. Besides my mom, she’s the only person I can go to whenever I’m stuck.
There are times when we can’t stand each other, but deep down I know every disagreement is filled with love. One minute we’re mad and not speaking, then the next she says something to make me laugh.
Being so close with my grandma has its downsides.
For instance, whenever we’re at a family get-together, she stays with the adults, while I hang by myself in a corner. It’s not that I don’t get along with family members my age, it’s just that I’ve distanced myself from them.
There are many things that I get from my grandma and sometimes those traits scare me. My grandma goes above and beyond for anyone, whether she knows them or not, and I often find myself doing that for many people.
She encouraged me to be a more welcoming person by always telling me to “fix my face” or crack out a smile, which is her of making sure I’m not upset. Just those words alone move mountains for me because for a while, she was the only person that could make me smile.
Together, we managed to get through the reality of my mom’s sickness, my brother’s trial and countless car accidents. We’ve been through so many tough situations together that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, but we always manage to keep a smile on our faces.
I can honestly say my grandma makes each day better. After living with her for five years, part of me is terrified of graduating next year and leaving to go off to college because I’m afraid I’ll miss seeing her everyday.
Of course, I can always call her, but that’s not the same as waking up on weekends and watching Netflix in her huge king-size bed in our pajamas or waking up to the smell of her cooking my favorite thing for breakfast.
Hopefully, when I go to college, I won’t be too far away and I’ll be able to drive back and forth from school and home. Despite every argument and disagreement, I know for a fact my grandma will always have my back no matter what.
