My Personal Childhood Web
This post is dedicated to those who
loved, cared and nurtured me as a child. Although I had many individuals who
loved and nurtured me as a child, I want to share five of those individuals, who stand out above the rest.
-Jeanette
Mckoy: My Mother
One of
the most powerful and influential persons in my life is my mother, Jeanette
Mckoy. She is by rock. She is the very woman that I strive to be as a wife, a
mother and a supporter. My mother is by far my biggest supporter. My mother has
influenced me not only through her words, but through her actions. My mother
has shown me what it means to be an honest woman, what it means to devote myself
to something/someone and how to do and be all of these things, without losing
myself in the process. She has always encouraged me to go after my dreams and
allow no one to deter me from accomplishing those dreams. She always says to me
“Never sell yourself short. Shoot for the stars, because I know you can do it”.
She has always seen potential in me that
I still don’t quite see in myself. The love and nurture my mother has given me
is beyond words. She has loved and nurtured me in all domains of my life. Now that I am older, I realize how much my
mother has sacrificed for me; how she has given her blood, sweat and tears so
that I could grow up in a safe, loving, nurturing environment. My mother made me feel special by never
making me feel like I was undeserving of anything. My mother provided for me
all the things that she knew would establish a safe, loving and nurturing
relationship between her and I.
-Anthony
Mckoy: My Father
My dad
is my pulse. I cannot imagine living in this life without my dad. Just to think
of him makes me smile. In a nutshell, I love my dad. Let me tell you why he is so
special, which would then explain how he makes me feel special. My dad has
changed his whole life for me. At the age of 19, I gave my life to Christ and
devoted to live a Christian life. Making this change in my life influenced me
to encourage my parents to make the same change. Despite the obstacles and
fears, my father is now a devoted Christian, serving as a Deacon in our church.
I could not be any prouder of my dad. The thought of knowing that my dad,
despite his fears, changed his life is why he is so special. My dad has
provided me with more physical, social, emotional and mental support than I
could ever ask for. No matter the cause or time of day, when I needed my dad,
he was always there. He always made me feel important, like I was needed. As a
child, my dad always went out of his way to make me smile, and as an adult, he
was never afraid to express how much he loved me. My dad is a man of few words,
but when he speaks, you can’t help but to listen and take heed. My dad always
tells me, “You must always listen, before you speak”. Many times by mother tells
me the day I was born, I changed my dad’s life, but in actuality, he has
changed mine.
-Mrs.
Chandler: My elementary School Counselor
Mrs.
Chandler was one of the coolest counselors I have ever had. She made it clear
that she had a special love for me. No matter what the case, Mrs. Chandler was
always there. She always made sure that I had what I needed and more. She would
come to my classroom to check on me periodically throughout the day, just to
see how my day was going. Sometimes, if I was having a rough day, she would clear
her schedule, just to talk with me about my problems. She was there to listen
to my minute troubles, without blame or judgment. She allowed me to be myself
with her, and to express my true feelings about anything. She used to always
tell me “Be you and no one else”. Despite her love for me, she did not hesitate
to chastise me when needed. I really appreciate all that Mrs. Chandler has done
for me. She has contributed to my ability to be myself and to never be afraid to
express my true feelings despite the subject.
-Mrs.
Scott: My elementary Science Teacher
Mrs.
Scott was one of my favorite teachers. She was a younger teacher, but very
strong in her profession. She took her position as a teacher very seriously and
I admired that about her. Mrs. Scott made it her mission to push me as far as I
could go academically. I still remember that life changing conversation I had
with Mrs. Scott. I just completed my Science exam, and just as I handed Mrs.
Scott the exam, she asked me how I think I did. I told her I thought I did
pretty well. The following day, she returned our exams, except mine. After
class, before I could ask her for my exam, she asked me to sit down. She handed
me my exam, and I saw that I received a C. Although I was accepting of my
grade, Mrs. Scott was not. She explained that, in her eyes, I was not doing my
best and to her, this was unacceptable. She asked me a question that no one has
ever asked me before; she asked me what I was afraid of. Why was I so afraid to
succeed? That question changed my life. I asked myself that question every day.
Why was I so afraid to succeed? What was holding me back from wanting to be the
best? Till this day, I continue to ask myself this question, and up to this
day, I have yet to find an answer.
-Candis
Swain: My Best Friend of 21 years.
Candis
Swain was and still is my childhood best friend. We have been best friends
since we were eight years old. Outside of my family, she was the first one to
call me “nik”, a nickname that I love. Now, both married with children, we are
still just as connected as we were 21 years ago. Candis inspires me through her
actions and she motivates me through her determination and strong will to
accomplish what others say she cannot. After so many years of friendship,
Candis still shows how much I mean to her by always making time for me. Living
in different states, becoming first-time moms at the same time and each
starting a new chapter in our lives academically, things can be really hectic.
But no matter how busy her schedule is, even if it is just a text message, she
always lets me know that she’s thinking of me and praying for me and my family.
We encourage each other when times get hard or when we feel life is beginning
to weigh on our shoulders. Even as young children, she always encouraged me and
challenged me to be the best that I could be, and was never afraid to show me
how it’s done. I truly love Candis with all my heart and she is the best, best
friend that any young girl from Queens, New York could ever ask for.
