My Personal Childhood Web

I grew up in a rural town in North Carolina. Everyone knew each other. It was a wonderful time and place to be a child. My personal web includes my paternal grandmother, grandfather, 2^nd grade teacher, Girl Scout leader and my best friend (who was also my neighbor).

My paternal grandmother and grandfather lived across the street from my family.  While my parents worked, they took care of me. My grandmother told me of her lineage of being a Native American, who owned land, with such pride.  One way she made me feel special was by brushing my hair. We both shared the same long, tangled hair. She would tell me how beautiful my hair was when everyone else described it as a “mess.”  My grandmother showed me what others see as a “mess” is beautiful in God’s eyes.

My paternal grandfather would let me sit in the driver’s side of his white Chevrolet and listen to the radio.  He loved country music.  I loved it because he did. We would sit on the front porch for hours talking and eating watermelon, which was also his favorite.  Not so much mine. He made sure I was warm in the winter by bringing my family wood for the fireplace. With my grandfather, the little things mattered just as much as the big things. I share his passion for giving to others.

My 2^nd grade teacher, Ms. Surratt, was my favorite teacher.  She always had encouraging words for me when I came into class in the morning.  She was the first person to tell me “I could do anything I put my mind to.” She was a person who believed in their students.  Ms. Surratt also went to my church and knew my family intimately.  So there was no way I would ever misbehave in her class.  She respected me and I respected her. Ms. Surratt taught me to believe the best about people.  And I still try to do that today.

My Girl Scout leader was Mrs. Fisher.  Mrs. Fisher was the mother of a girl in my class. Her husband had passed away and she was raising her daughters alone.  She was a patient woman who led 12 4^th grade girls.  We had lots of projects in which she encouraged us to complete.  Mrs. Fisher encouraged us to be the best people we could be.  She reinforced scouting values that I still remember today.  She is one of the reasons I chose to be a Cub Scout leader for my son’s group.

My best friend was and still is Karren.  Our home situations were similar. We often times depended on each other for support.  We would sit in the rural fields of North Carolina and talk for hours. She is dependable and always has kind words of encouragement for me. Even though we live thousands of miles apart, I know I can depend on her.