Cashma Ashmeade"The ripples of time will not remember what you have done. You will be remembered by those to whom we have done in-kind; you will be remembered for what you have not done by those who wish you unkind, but you will be remembered."

I remembr the last words my grandmother said to me before she died: "Who are we in this world?" I had travelled eight thousand miles to see her for the last time. I still do not fully understand what she was saying to me, but I'm trying. I was born in Jamaica, the third of eight children, and all I remember from my childhood is my grandmother, whom we called Miss Kitty. Her real name was Catherine Morgan. I have no memory of ever seeing my mother's face, as she left us and moved to Canada when I was only a toddler. I don't believe that I found favour in my father's eyes, so my grandmother was very important to me. I love her with all the love that I have; I owe her my life. I never left my grandmother's side. At nights I would bury my head into her back, because I was afraid of ghosts and that my father might come and snatch me away in the middle of the night.

I moved to Canada as a child and have lived in Alberta most of my life. I love my country-it has been a sanctuary for me and my first real home. Read More Read Less