DeWana Smith
Alethia Burnette(Mom) Helen Burnette(Grand mom)
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Brenda Johnson( Alethia's Sister) Argie Burnette(Alethia's Brother)
-My mom was a single mom and in that day she was treated badly because of having a child out of wedlock. Her mother and other family members helped her care for me and they cared for her in a society that was not looking at either one of us in a kind light.
-My grand mom was the rock of our family. She took care of everyone that entered in and never looked down on anyone. She was the one that gave me my spiritual background and encouraged my family involvement.
-My aunt was truly a traditional woman, in the sense that she tried to things the right way. She married and had her first child and we were raised as brother and sister. She also taught me about church and how to treat other people.
-My uncle was not that much older than me but he was the one that taught me about my African American history. He taught me how to swim, drive, and even gave me a job. He was the only one that had attended college and he made me think that college was not a choice.
Each person listed above made me think I was special because they cared for me in different ways. They were tough on me when I needed it but showed me love and respect at the same time. I was not treated differently in anyway and I always thought that I belonged.
Since I had such a strong family support system, I feel compelled to pass that on to others including my children. I know that there are children that do not have the same support that I have and I want them to know that there is someone who cares. My family introduced me to love, caring, and respect that can never be taken away.
I do not have pictures to upload but I can give you a mental visual to help you think of us in a special way.
My grandmother lived in the projects but we were taught that we lived in the projects not of the projects. This meant that we would work together to have better things, we would keep our place clean, and that we always stood tall as a family. On Christmas everyone came to her house and even though it was cramped and sometimes hot, we laughed, played, and ate together. We shared stories and embarrassed each other about the past. This is something that I will never forget and hope to pass it along to my children.
DeWana,
ReplyDeleteI am really impressed with your family. I see we share many things in common. I grew up in the projects as well and my mother always instilled in us to do better then she did. I can always remember having lots of love from her. She couldn't buy us material things, but it was the little things that I remember. I have used her parenting style in raising my son alone.
DeWana,
ReplyDeleteYou paint a picture of being surrounded by love. Your mom was blessed to be surrounded by people to support the two of you.
Hi DeWana, I too, can identify with your mother being a single mom. I was born while my mother was in college. My grandparents were determined for her to finished her college education. After I was born, they made her go back to college. I spent the majority of my life with my grandparents and maternal aunts and maternal uncles. Much later, after I was born, my mother and father married, only to divorce within 2 years. During those times, it was not smiled upon to have a baby out of wedlock. I have always believed that mother married my father due to such. Today, it is amazing how it is almost the norm to have a baby before one is married.
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