Her children will tell you she is the best mom in the world, the way she loves, nurtures, guides and supports them. She was there when her nine children needed her and now is there nurturing her 12 grandchildren in the same way. This Grandmother of the Year is definitely deserving of the award, though she would tell you she is just happy doing what she has always been doing...raising children. "I give God the glory for that,'' said Mrs.

Janette Burgess, who received the Grandmother of the Year Award last weekend at a ceremony at City Hall. The event, in its 18th year was hosted by Kelly Zuill's company, KZ Productions, at City Hall on Sunday night as part of the longer-running Mother of the Year celebrations -- and all her children were there to support Mrs. Burgess.

The Mother of the Year, Linda Trott, is a cousin of Mrs. Burgess. According to Mr. Zuill, who hosts the Gospel Train religious programme on ZFB, of which Mrs. Burgess is a faithful listener and frequent caller, the Grandmother of the Year is done by parishes. Last year it was Smith's and next year the winner will come from St. George's.

The certificate she received read: "Janette Burgess has been named Grandmother of the Year in recognition of her warm and understanding ways, her kindly wisdom and her loving heart. These fine qualities, in addition to many demonstrations of other grandmotherly attributes, make her the unanimous choice for Grandmother of the Year award.'' Mrs. Burgess is too modest to blow her own horn, but her husband of 44 years (45 on July 31) Norris is full of praise for the mother of his children. He said: "I felt she was going to be honoured for something this year. She needed that extra boost, with her sickness she's been going through a great deal. God has provided her with this honour.'' There are six girls (Lovette, Anternette, Dawnette, Norette, Suzette and Juliette) and three boys (Norris Jr. (Bubba), Mackie and Philip), all productive members of society and with families of their own. "We're blessed to have nine children and none of them have caused us any pain,'' said Mr.

Burgess as he sat in the family home in Hamilton Parish overlooking Harrington Sound. "A lot of people couldn't see why Janette and I had a large family. We went through a lot of insults from people who couldn't understand, but a large family can bring blessing instead of curses and I thank God for that all the time. "Great sacrifice, that's the key ingredient to giving them value.

That's what's missing today. If we can sacrifice for nine, why can't people sacrifice for two or three for a while.'' As well as rearing her own children, Mrs. Burgess also baby-sat other children in her home, including children from a family that were stationed at the former base who, now as adults and with children of their own, still keep in contact with her. "They would come here and not want to leave,'' Mrs. Burgess says of the children who visited her home. "They would cry when they had to go home. It's about treating children with love.'' Even today, Mrs. Burgess enjoys the company of children as she watches four of her grandchildren after school while their parents are still working. The grandchildren are receiving the same advice from `Nana' that their parents did...respecting and obeying their parents and elders, studying hard and not not playing around in school because education is the key to success, as well as having God in your life. "I'm still babysitting, but I love it,'' Mrs. Burgess stressed. Having a parent to come home to has been important in the rearing of her own children children, something that is not very common these days with both parents out working. "All that could have been lost if she was a working woman,'' said Mr. Burgess. "She was there when they needed some guidance. "I see a breakdown of the family. We've been together over 44 years and there are still things that we confront. "Just imagine if we would have split up 30 years ago, it would have put a lot of pressure on the children. One parent is not good enough, they need a male and a female image, but that's lacking today.'' Mrs. Burgess grew up the only girl and youngest child of six children of the late Harley and Dolly Tucker of Smith's Parish. "My mother and father were always together,'' he stated.

"They were together 62 years when my father passed away in 1981. My mother went three months after that.'' Even now Mrs. Burgess gives unselfishly to others, while her husband often urges her to take more time out for herself.

Daughter Anternette said: "She always puts her family's needs ahead of her own. She has a gift for social work.'' "That's what I wanted to be,'' replied her mother. That trait has rubbed off on many of her children, with some of her daughters involved in community activities like the Hamilton Parish majorettes and netball team. Another daughter, Norette Simmons, was involved in the Somerset Majorettes and Somerset's junior netball team. "My mother has a heart for children and wherever we go the same spirit is within us,'' said Mrs. Simmons, who often has a car full of children from her own community.

"My mother and father built good character, the fruits of the spirit...love, joy, peace, happiness and sharing and giving to others. If parents instilled good character in their children they won't fall. That's what I instill in my family and my community.'' The Burgesses taught their children important values early in life, like a strong work ethic and some of them now have their own businesses. "We worshipped together,'' said the father. "It's a strong message that shows that if it's good enough for mother and father then it's good enough for children and grandchildren.'' Mrs.

Burgess recalls going to the bank when she had seven small children and having a bank book for each of them to deposit money into, even just two or three dollars a week on each. Important lessons were being taught, though the oldest son, `Bubba', went to his mother and told her he wanted his money back. "I told him I put it in the bank and he got real mad one day,'' she recalled.

"But by the time they got big they already had a start at the bank. I taught them how to save from when they were tiny children. "A lot of people start off by giving their children a lot of things and that's all right but they should also take some of that money and save it, too.'' Her husband put in: "That should be an automatic training in the home. If you want a home and education then there are some sacrifices to be made.'' In their early 20s the three oldest siblings pooled their resources together and built their own house. "Long term planning is one of my philosophies,'' said their father.

"I believe in staying with it as long as you possibly can in order to see the fruits of your labour. Sometimes they tell me I talk too much, but let the record show I did say something.'' Photo courtesy of Anternette Lewis Grandmother of the Year: Janette Burgess shares her special occasion with husband Norris.