As a child I only knew my mother’s side of the family because she was a single parent. I grew up in a small community, so everyone knew each other. I adopted a lot of aunts and uncles along the way. I became part of their family and to this day, I still feel the same way about them. My children call them auntie and uncle.
I can remember the pastor of my church, Rev. Thomas D. Killens. Every Sunday one family from the church had to take the pastor and his wife home for Sunday dinner. I remember him sitting on the floor with me and dumping out a jar full of pennies. He taught me how to count. He would have me stack them in groups of 5’s and 10’s. He taught me how to play tic tac toe, jump rope, and play hopscotch. I always looked forward to our Sundays because I knew it was going to be fun.
Alexander Taylor, was one of the uncles that I adopted from my church. He had two daughters that was around my age. He always told me to get those boys off my mind and get an education. He would say, “Angie, those boys are going to be there. All they want is one thing. I know because I was one of them. Get your schooling. Then find you a man that wants something out of life.” I could always talk to him about anything. He was funny, but I knew when he meant business. I love him for being hard on me. He is the Godfather of my oldest son. He gives him that same “tough love” that he gave me.
My grandmother, Hattie, was my inspiration. She always gave me encouraging words. She made me see the big pictures when I thought things were at their worst. She was always there for me. Even when she was sick, she encouraged me and my sons to continue with our goals. She has passed away now. I still hold her words close to me. She was a strong woman even in death. I hope and pray that I have turned out to be the woman that she thought I would be. I carry her with me in my spirit. Her words will be forever etched in my mind and heart.
My mother showed me what it meant to love her children. She worked long hours to give me and my sister the things that we needed. She sacrificed her wants to provide us with our needs. I never heard her complain about anything. I carried that into my adult life. I have made sacrifices for my children. That is all in being a mother. I have shared with them the same values that I was taught.
My uncle taught me that there are real men in the world. He took care of us when my mother was sick. He tried to cook for us and do our hair to the best of his ability. He helped us with our homework and made sure we were in bed at a reasonable hour. He is still there for us now. He raised his children with the same attitude.
Although my family was small, it was full of love. We were there for each other. Now, I try to be there when they need me. I have taught my children and raised them the same way that I was. I don’t worry about them as adults because I know that I have taught them how to take care of themselves.
Angela
arltaylor 