My Personal Childhood Web

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.