Personal childhood Web

There were many people entwinded in my childhood web that loved and cared for me during my childhood years, but the most memorable ones that impacted my life was my Mom who instilled values and morals that still hold true today.  She taught me how to always "act like a lady" because you never knew who was watching.  She taught me that God was first and foremost and then family, wherever you go, never forget family. My mom had us "scared straight" because she was the disciplinarian in the family so I learned at an early age that it dosen't matter what your friends may do, you should always listen to that inner voice.  Daddy was the provider.  My parents divorced when I was 11, however my father still played a very active role in our life.  All of my summers was spent w/ him in Fayetteville, NC.  If school was out on Friday, Daddy was there on Saturday to pick us up.  Our summers was spent going to the skating rinks, we couldn't get him to skate, but he would stand on the wall and watch us while we skated,  drag car race shows was another fun thing that we enjoyed w/ daddy, I can still hear the loud sounds that the cars made ;-).  He would take us to Disney World, movies, the park, and to the beach.  Friday night was always seafood night at our house and that tradition still holds true today.  Daddy is no longer with us but I have very fond memories of the legacy he left behind.  My Grandparents (maternal & paternal), I'm one of the blessed few to have a relationship with my maternal and paternal grandparents.  I can remember how my daddy's mom use to always shower us with hugs and kisses, and let's not forget eating lunch & dinner at grandma's house. We were not allowed to play in the house after dark, we had to take a bath and watch TV together or read a book.  No playing was allowed in grandma's house. Whenever we needed money, we went to granddaddy, he would start digging in his pocket when he saw us coming and of course he got a big hug after that, lol.  I can remember running down the road to meet my other grandfather (maternal) after work, we would be waiting for him to turn down the road and all of us would race to see who would get to him first, of course almost knocking him down, but I can remember that big grim on his face , along w/ the hugs and a pat on the head.  Now, my maternal grandma was a disciplinarian like mama, she didn't play.  But, the feeling of love in the things she did for us, such as, taking us to church w/ her, on road trips and just having a sense of security in her presence.  My Great-Grandmother (maternal) died when she was 103 yrs old.  We had to stay with her during the day when mama was at work, so my days was spent picking sweet potatoes, okra, beans and other veggies in her fields and helping to feed the chicken, cows and pigs and the highlight was sitting under the cherry tree eating cherries with my siblings and cousins was such memorable events.  I owe all that I am as a grandparent to my grandparents because they taught me what it means to love your grandchild unconditionally. Ms Evelina was part of my extended family that watched over all the children in the village, if she saw you stepping out of line or misbehaving, she would chastise you on the spot and forget about running because she would tell your parents, so you would still get it when you got home.  She would take us to evening programs at the church and accompany us at Sunday school.  Back then she got on our last nerves, but when I think back to my childhood days, she was part of the glue that kept us from going astray. I'm going to lump the Teachers together because it's too many of them to call by name because they all greatly impacted our lives and who we are today.  Teachers were the mothers and grandmothers at school because they genuinely cared about our education and well being.  If someone didn't have school supplies, clothes or shoes, teachers would supply their needs.  They ruled w/ the paddle but guess what, I can't recall any child in my village being abused or severely injured, did it hurt yes, but it taught us right from wrong and we were able to remain a part of the class rather than being kicked out of school.  Now, when I speak so highly of my village, you know why, because there were so many people that loved, nurtured and cared for my well being.  My fifth grade teacher attends my church, we always greet each other with a hug.  She is a constant reminder of the memories that I hold so dear about my childhood years at Jennie Moore Elementary School.