PERSONAL CHILDHOOD WEB

There were five people who were very influential in my life as a child.  They are:

1. NANA - my grandmother
2. MOMMY - my mother
3. MARCUS & JAMILLAH - my cousins
4. MS. BUSBY - my teacher
5. RHONDA - my childhood friend

By far, the most influential person to ever have an impact on my life is my grandmother, Nana.  There is something special about a grandmother's love.  It's indescribable.  You would have to experience it to know for yourself.  All I can say is that it's infinite.  It has no limit.  My grandmother only had a 3rd grade education, but she taught me lessons about life that were not in any of the books.  I learned how to cook, how to value education, how to be a mother from Nana.  She taught me how to nurture and love. 

My mother also influenced my life.  As a single parent, my mother had to work long hours in order to financially support me.  My grandmother basically raised me because my mother was always working.  I knew my mother cared about me, but unfortunately, she was unable to physically be there for me.  I learned how to be an independent woman from my mother.

My cousins, Marcus and Jamillah were my favorite little people in the entire world.  We were all a year apart, so when I was 5, Marc was 4 and Millah was 3.  They were brother and sister, living in New York, while I lived in Jersey.  I was an only child so I depended on them for my fun.  When Marc and Millah would come visit, we took over my grandmother's house.  The house was huge, so we pretty much destroyed it from top to bottom.  I learned how to be a leader from my cousins.  They looked up to me for everything, from advice, to coming up with an apology for Nana when we would get in trouble. 

My fourth grade teacher, Ms. Busby was my favorite teacher in the world.  I remember being in first grade and seeing her in the school and praying that one day she'd be my teacher.  Lucky for me, I got my wish.  Seeing Ms. Busby, who was African-American, gave me a sense of pride.  I was proud to see a classy and educated young woman in a position of helping others learn.  Ms. Busby made me feel special.  She made me want to be just like her.  She's one of the main reasons I became a teacher.

My friend, Rhonda, was my best friend growing up.  She was five years older than me.  Rhonda lived on the same block as I did, and I would go over her house all of the time.  She was like a big sister to me.  Rhonda taught me how to do gymnastics, how to jump rope, how to do drills, and how to braid hair.  She cared about me so much that she wouldn't hang out with friends that were her age, just so she could spend time with me.  Rhonda taught me about sacrifice.   

Every single person that I've named still impacts my life.  I use the experiences I've shared with each them to keep me grounded whenever life throws a curve ball my way.  I use the lessons I've learned from them to help me through those curve balls.