"LIVING WITH THE MATRIARCH "
FRACTURED FAMILY "THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES" My extremely close bond with my late grandmother drew criticism from some of her children, fueled by malice and greed directed toward me. She once shared with me that one of them said I was an accident of birth, and that she should have been the one to give birth to me. In her words, "Orisa said it was a mistake your father begot you; I would have been the one to have begotten you." Despite this, she always protected me, wrapping me in a cocoon of love and care. Our relationship was often likened to that of a married couple, with my father joking that mediating between us required absolute caution. While living with her was not always easy, I knew she prioritized my welfare above all else. When conflicts arose, I would seek my father's advice, and he would counsel me to apologize and make amends. I would heed his words, and...