The People that Made Me Who I Am

This is my grandmother Annie, who helped raise me. She was strict but loving. My grandfather had a logging business and my grandmother fed his employee’s breakfast and I had to work in the morning early to get breakfast on the table before I went to school. I helped her in the evening when I returned from school. I washed my own clothes on a wash board every Saturday. I learned from my grandmother that it takes hard work if you want to succeed in life. Of course, I didn’t think so at the time, (I thought it was hard work). She was dedicated to showing me what life was all about. She always said that she expected great things from me and I hope I have not let her down. I learned from her that if you wanted something worthwhile, you had to earn it.!

This picture is my mother Melvina, who lived around the corner from my grandmother. My dad died when I was six years old. It forced my mother to work very hard and she wanted the best for all of us. My mother believed in education in our home. Though, we did not have a lot, we learned to be happy with what we had. I have two sisters and three brothers and they all have college degrees. My mother felt strongly that education was our key for success! My mother was kind and gentle and I thought she had a beautiful smile. I always felt very loved and supported; she made me understand the importance of an education!

This is my uncle, my mother’s brother Nathaniel who lived with my grandmother as well. My uncle helped to take care of me. He bought my dresses and as a child, I thought they were so beautiful. My grandmother probably influenced him to do it, but he still bought them for me. I remember he bought the first bike - I ever had. I loved that bike; it was so shiny and blue. I thought it was everything as a small child, This support made me happy. I was the youngest in the family and got all of the attention.

My brother! It is hard for me to talk about my brother; who just passed away a year ago. He spoiled me rotten, but he taught me how to be kind and respectful to everyone I met. I loved him dearly! Both our birthdays were in July and we celebrated them together every year, for a lifetime. When I was in school he would pay me for every (A) I made in school. I think it was his way to make me do well (and it worked). He was always proud of me and cared about how I felt even after I became an adult. He always believed in everything that I wanted do in my life, even the ones that sometimes didn’t make  much sense.

This inspiration is my sister Anne who I think has influenced me so much. She is older than I am and has been a positive role model for me. Whenever there was a problem, I could always count on my sister to help me.  She has never judged me whether I was right or wrong! She always told me I could do and be anything I wanted be. I want to be a teacher because of her.  She was a seventh grade teacher for twenty years. Even now, I can still count on her positive reinforcement as an adult in my life.

The Sanders! Every one of these people has made a contribution in my life. They have always been loving and supportive in any thing I wanted to do. There was never anyone around me that was not a positive force in my personal life. I learned about negativity from bullies at school, but never from my family. If I had to choose a family, this one would be the one for me! When we have the opportunity to get together, it is one of love, a lot of hugs and lots of fun. We have such a wonderful time together, it's difficult say goodbye. My family is the circle that surrounded me and has made me become the person I am today. This has made me want to be a teacher, and show children that when you have positive reinforcement in your life, it is a structure for success. By the way, I'm the fifth in the bottom of  the picture.