A Letter to my Abuela from your “shero”

This is Jaqueline Scott who we’ve all affectionately known as “Madre”. Our family jokes about how many names we had for her, such as Abuela, grandma, Mama, and GeGe but originally with the first set of grandkids she is “Madre”. We unexpectedly lost our matriarch on October 31st, 2022. The worst day of our lives. Our family is still healing and grieving in our own ways.
Jaqueline Scott lived the rest of her life for her grandchildren. Some of my core memories as a child were on Sunday mornings after a “grandma posse” sleepover. Where my brother Darwin, cousin Jasmine and I would stay over at my grandma's house to take care of her during a diabetic episode. She would hurry us out the door because “We can not be late to Sunday school”. Not only because she was a stickler for being on time but because she was also our Sunday school teacher. The church was so small, we also happened to be her only students. She made sure we were content with our sugary donuts as she taught us about the goodness of Jesus.
She wasn’t the grandma you could cuddle with and cry unbearable on her lap. But she was the grandma who made you stand up, brush yourself off and try again! You could go to her for any advice and if she didn’t have the answer that day, she was reading a series of books to answer your question the next day. She was the grandma who showed up. She was always present, no matter what family gathering, what dance recital, what graduation, what comedy show, what hospital visit, what soccer game, she was there with her outfit and hat to match. She had the biggest heart for others and she showed up in ways that are rare to find in people these days. Loved by all of her neighbors and friends. She was the type of woman who succeeded gracefully, showed no mercy and put God first. If you were put on my Abuela’s prayer list, you knew God was working overtime. Jaqueline was an extraordinary person who loved her family, so much so that she became the keeper of our family genealogy and organized family reunions with my cousin Meko, just so we could meet according to her research.
“Madre’s Studio" would have never been possible without my abuela. I will never take that lightly. “Madre’s” embodies everything my grandmother was and I hope to make her proud everyday by keeping her essence alive. I love you Abuela.