In this mediated dialogue, Karamo facilitates a candid conversation between teenage grandson Kiani and his 62‑year‑old grandmother Michelle. The discussion reveals that Michelle has never been able to grieve the loss of her own daughter, a trauma that underlies tension in the family. Kiani confronts Michelle about past verbal abuse, specifically recalling being called a "bitch" during an argument. Michelle initially denies the exact wording but admits to having said "Stop acting like a bitch," acknowledging her anger and fear of losing her grandson. Kiani expresses a deep need for consistent emotional support, a stronger bond, and open communication focused on their own mental health rather than external drama. Michelle responds with respect for Kiani’s wishes and commits to working on their relationship. Throughout, Karamo’s probing questions keep the dialogue focused on grief, accountability, and the desired future dynamic between grandmother and grandson.
Chapters
All you really have to know is that I have your best interests at heart.
It sounds like to me that you never got a chance to grieve your daughter.
No, I never got a chance to grieve.
I don't think none of us have.
Yeah.
None of us have.
No, I never.
None of us have.
I look at my daughter, we are destroyed, but that person there, had my back. I wanna say—
I miss my mother too.
I know you do, baby.
Ms. Sherry, why is it important for you to be here today?
For Kiani. Because Kiani want me to show up.
And so you showed up.
That's why I showed up. You know how many times today I said I wanna go home?
And I said, let's go.
Kiani, what is it again that you want your grandmother to hear?
I do love you, no matter what. I try my hardest to not act the way I do towards you. I have that feeling, but it's hard. The words that you had said is going to stick with me for the rest of my life.
What are the words that she said to you that you want her to know?
We was arguing, you was trying to hit me with a stick and I was holding the stick from you. You said to me, "You're a bitch." That's not true.
Don't do that. I've never, In my 62 years, said that to you.
You probably don't remember because of the healing moment I was going through.
I remember. I never said that to my grandson.
I wouldn't just say that.
I never said that.
You did.
You gotta be kidding me. Never. And I'm not gonna deny having said some things. I said some things like, "Stop acting like a bitch." Yeah.
You don't say that to a kid.
I said that. I did. I did say it, but y'all gotta, you know, and I'm not trying to make any excuses for my actions or my behavior, but I'm angry too. I'm angry. I'm angry right now that I feel like I'm losing my grandson.
What do you need from your grandmother right now?
What I need for her to just to be there for me emotionally, 'cause I'm still trying to figure out life. I'm still trying to just, figure out everything. I don't have a mother, don't have a father. And you wanna go to the person you live with 24/7. You wanna go to your legal guardian. You wanna be able to go to them and to not, to feel like you can't, it hurts. And I just want her just to be there for me more. I want us to have a better relationship. I want us to be able to talk to each other, not just talk about drama that's going on for somebody else's drama. No, let's talk about us. Let's talk about how we could better our mental health, let's just talk about how we can better ourselves.
Michelle, how do you feel about that?
I respect it 100, but I respect him, you know what I'm saying? And I honestly can say is that I'm gonna work on it.
