As I grew up, I watched everything in astonishment,
often times proud but afraid at the same time. I was raised
early in my life by my grandparents, Ma-Ma and Pa-Pa,
my dad’s parents and my great g...view moreAs I grew up, I watched everything in astonishment,
often times proud but afraid at the same time. I was raised
early in my life by my grandparents, Ma-Ma and Pa-Pa,
my dad’s parents and my great grandma, Na-Na, in my
first years of life, while my parents worked in Monticello,
Georgia as educators. My brother, Tracy was born three years
after me.
I watched the victories unfold and learned that winning
could be obtained with faith and a lot of hard work. I, too,
like many others of my own race felt the sting of integration
with discrimination always before me. Even though I am
living in a much different time of racial unrest, I have
witnessed and experienced the separateness and pressures
of always having to prove I am human with my race and
that of another race of people.
I’ve learned, we all need to have a goal or mission to keep us focused and lifted spiritually
which will hopefully keep negative issues like hatred from being a part of my inner self.
I watched my dad try to maintain inner balance, with his natural self and spiritual self. It is
true that obtaining balance is one of the hardest challenges we as humans may ever encounter
but don’t ever give up; fight the good fight of faith! Your victory is near with faith in The
Almighty. Sometimes we have to push through walls and barriers that are trying to hold us
back but never give up on your mission, which I trust will be of good nature.
My parents influenced me to teach; how could I choose any other profession, after watching
them experience the rewards and fulfillment that come from helping others?
I was challenged as a teacher on many levels like my parents. I taught in the Monroe County
School system for 30.5 years in Forsyth, Georgia.
A good challenge makes a good game and a good life. Without challenges, life would
become boring and dull and who needs that?view less