Often times you hear about single mothers raising their sons and the rest of the story isn’t necessarily good. My story is different. I would not have had it any other way. My mother did a great job raising me. Against the odds, against all weapons formed against me, I was raised in a loving and nurturing environment.
My mother gave me a firm foundation, insisted that I do my very best and encouraged me to excel in everything I attempted.
My mother was punitive. I don’t mean this in a negative way, but she believed in discipline. She did not spare the rod, nor did she spoil me. She taught me how to be a productive citizen. She instilled a strong work ethic in me. Be on time, work hard, earn your living.
She practiced what she taught. She was a fantastic example for me. My mother completed both her Bachelors Degree and Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling. She worked until her health prevented her. She supported and encouraged me as I completed my undergraduate degree.
She taught me about the importance of believing, trusting and serving God. My mother’s love did not stop with me, she was also a foster parent. She invested time in her student’s lives. She visited them at home, allowed them to visit her at home and took her students on field trips.
She taught me about the family. Family is your richest asset. Without them you are nothing. My family remains important to me to this day. I remember as a child the family gatherings, and I have reinstituted the holiday gatherings.
My mother taught me the importance of giving back to the community in which I lived. She was service oriented. This program comes after many hours of talking with my mother about my dreams and aspirations. The project is two-fold: Entrepreneurship Training for our Youth, and how to handle stress and challenges of daily living.
