My Grandmother influenced my life as a child because I mainly stayed at her home when I was a child and eventually moved in when I was a teenager. She cared for me, loved me, and even when I refused it, offered her generosity. This woman taught me to be a stronger woman. While living with my grandmother, I would take out the trash, rake leaves, shovel snow, knee deep, from the garage to the street, all for her. By the time I came into this woman’s life, my Grandmother was in her 70’s and able to do a lot but I felt I should do more.
I was able to learn how to balance life challenges that came my way, because of the stories she would tell me. I was able to learn about my family heritage from this woman. She shared so much with me that I took those stories and knowledge and keep it close to my heart.
My Cousin Donald Jr. and his wife Stacey are the ideal couple. They have been together for more than 16 years. I was able to see this relationship blossom from the beginning when I was 13 or 14 all the way to the present. When I was growing up, I would watch my cousin Don, as we would call him, become a DJ, where he introduced me to all sorts of great music and taught me how to breakdance. I then witnessed a great site, he went off to the Marines. This was the first I had ever witnessed of anyone leaving my small town. He would come back and visit and tell me all about his travels.
When he came back with Stacey, we hit it off great. They got married some time later and have been the example of a couple that I hope my future husband and I can have. They struggled for years to make sure their two kids got the best education.
They sacrificed a lot in terms of clothing, personal needs, even vehicles, to make sure they saved and spent wisely. Like I said earlier, they have been together for more than 16 years and their children are the brightest kids I know. They are have not been influenced by peer pressure, they are involved in sports and they also have the drive to stay in school because they know of the sacrifices their parents are making for them.
The last person would be my Mother. She has showed me that determination is key when trying to achieve a dream or a goal, no matter how long it takes to accomplish it. My mother knew that she had to care for me when my father decided being a parent wasn’t on his agenda. She worked all hours of the day to provide for me. She also made sure that my grandmother did not want for anything when I was staying with her while she worked long shifts.
My most influential moment in my life would be when she decided to go back to school and get her nursing degree. It took my mother several years to complete her pre-requisites and her nursing degree, but she did it at the age of 40.
We missed out on a lot of time with each other, but this taught me to stay focused on a goal, no matter how long it takes to complete it. It’s this determination that keeps me going when I have instances in my life that take me away from my goal, such as completing my Maters’ Certificate.
I wish I could say there were more people in my life that I say have influenced my childhood and how they cared for me, but there aren’t. I had the sad misfortune of being somewhat of an outcast and did not break out of my shell until I was a teenager. But then at that time, I still mainly hung out with my grandmother, if I was not busy with creating paintings or helping with student activities.
I will say that my Grandmother had the most influence and impact on my life. This woman was the main support that I had in my life and I strive to be the person she hoped that all of her grandchildren would be; successful and healthy. Her morals and values influence my everyday decisions that I make with my daughter. I named my daughter after her and it is a daily reminder that I need to treat her with respect and make sure she is cared for and put on the right track from the start.
Here is a picture of my grandmother.
She was such a beautiful soul. And even though I didn’t know her during this phase of her life, I always look at this picture and remember her. I used this picture on an invite to a Mother’s Day gathering for her. I made sure that all of her grandchildren and children were able to come by and see her. At this time, she was on her deathbed and could not be up and walking with us, but she appreciated the visit from everyone. I remember her saying in a joking way “You should be ashamed of yourself, using this picture.” I told her that I wasn't because she was beautiful even though she was 5 months pregnant in this photo.
