Personal Childhood Web

HIERARCHY OF THE FAMILY WAS MY FATHER

My father is the greatest man I know!  My father always did without so us five children could have what other children had.  My father did not finish school but he always wanted each of his children to have what he never achieved which was an education.  He would always play with me and think of some of the most fun made up games.  He tickled me and we always watched football together while my sisters would be helping in the kitchen.  How I really figured out how strong he really was is when my mother graduated and went off to school and stayed on the campus.  She would come home on the weekends and we would drive her back on Sunday night's.  My father took care of three little one's through the week.  My brother was in the fifth grade, my sister was in the second grade and I was in the fourth grade.  He got us to school, picked us up and feed us when we got home.  His way of naturing us was to tell us a story verbally almost seems like everyday.  The story was letting us know how much better things were going to be once our mother finished school.  He would say, so when you look like you can't hold on, just grab up and get a little more of the rope to hang on some more.  I would just look at him and pay attention as he would act out what he was saying.  My siblings and I would say here he go again and sometimes it seemed to help.  We just missed our mom!  I seen at the end my father was teaching us to hold on for something special and the promise he was making us helped me get through.  My mom finished college in 1975 and got her first teaching job that summer.  Things started to look up fast just like my father said they would we got a brand new 1975 Ford LTD and I was the daughter of a school teacher.  My father taught my siblings and I to keep holding on until your dreams can be achieved.

Mother

My mother was the serious one in my life.  She did not play with us at all.  She helped us with our homework, she feed us, she would sing to us and make sure we had everything a little kid needed to make it.  I remember her singing to me.  I do remember how pretty she kept me and my sister.  Boy she really had taste in clothes.  She kept my hair so pretty but she never forced me to do very much.  She was the type of mother that would tell you how things were the best for you and would let you choose.  I wished later in life that she would have been more strict about things.  And just made the choice for me.  I know now if it had not been for my mom us kids would have not been able to be as successful as we are.  I guess that was her biggest role in my life to help us achieve our education!

BIG SISTER SHARON

My oldest sister Sharon was the star in my life.  I looked up to her and thought she was the smartest person on the planet.  She allowed me to go every where with her.  Sharon was my protector from mean kids and danger.  She always held me so close to her.  Sharon was the best big sister ever.

AUNT OZELL

My aunt Ozell, was a very strict auntie.  She helped to get us home sometimes when my father could not pick us up from school.  She was a teacher at the school we attended in grade school.  It seemed funny to see her on weekends because she was a teacher and you just didn't see teachers that much.  I learned quickly that we were blessed to have her.  I thought she was a good driver.  I wanted to grow up and drive a car just like she did.  She once told me if I ever want to go to college she would help me.  I thought that was so special.

COUSIN JANE

Cousin Jane was the best cousin I had.  She was a good friend to me.  Everyone needs a good friend.  She would call me on the telephone, visit me at our house and invite me to stay the night at her house.  I think that's what I like so much about her she gave me friendship.

My father and mother are my cheerleaders.  My father is just amazed how I now was able 3 years ago to get my undergraduate degree and this December graduate with a Masters degree.  My mother just laughs and says "girl you can't get enough of school can you."  I tell her just how much fun it is to learn.  Although, she does tell me "girl you better rest."   My big sister Sharon is still my sister and I still look up to her.  She made me feel safe and still does today.  My Aunt did keep her promise and gave money towards my education when I started back to school which was awesome.  She is still a big part of my life.  She ended up teaching for 40 years and then retired.  My cousin Jane and I were best friends until I was 38 years old.  I guess time came between us and we just went different ways.  In my heart she will always be my best friend.  We do talk on Facebook.