August 8th, 2004

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       REFLECTIONS ON MY 60TH BIRTHDAY
 

 

As most of you know, I consider myself a private person, but, as I enter the 6th decade of my life, I would like to share my thoughts and feelings with my family and loved ones.

 

I have had my share of heartaches, pain and sadness in my life, but, overall, I have truly been blessed--and on this day, I really do count my blessings.

 

I was blessed with a wonderful mother who bore and cared for 9 children.  Unfortunately, we lost our eldest brother when he was but 5 months old.  One can only imagine how devastated Mom and Dad were when they lost their first-born.  Since I became a mother, I know it is not easy raising children.  I only had 2 so I can imagine how difficult it was for her to raise 8 children and also care for grandchildren including my own children.

 

Unfortunately, Mom left us too soon--she was only 62

 

I am thankful for Dad who supported us until we all became adults.  We didn't have much but we had a roof over our heads, food on our table and clothes on our backs.  Poverty helped us all become creative--especially Mom with her meal preparations.

 

I am thankful for my beloved husband Ralph--a caring, kind and generous man--who is always thinking of and doing things for me and others --who cared for his terminally ill brother for 8 months until he succumbed to a lung disease; who accompanied his aging and ill uncle to North Carolina on a Greyhound bus because his uncle was afraid to fly and travel alone and who also passed away 11 months later; and, just this year, he went to spend the last few days with his mother before she passed away in March.  Now all that are left in his immediate family are his sister and himself.  His sister still thanks me for "sharing her brother" with them.  I tell her that she does not need to thank me--"That's what families are for."

 

I am thankful for my beautiful daughter, Temecia and my handsome son, Ted--who are always doing things for others. They are the best daughter and son a mother could ask for.  I was truly blessed when they were born. They are caring, giving, and honest and they are true to their word. They also are great parents to my grandchildren Nikko, Destini, Malik and Imani

 

I am thankful for Ron, a great son-in-law, husband and father.

 

I am thankful for 2 stepsons, Ralph, Jr. and Richard who are ready to lend a helping hand when asked.

 

I am thankful for 4 beautiful grandchildren and 6 step grandchildren (Jessica, Alicia, Nicholas, Ryan, Trevor  and Dylan).

 

I am thankful for my 3 brothers and 4 sisters who, in spite of their busy lives, come together in times of crises as well as joyful events.  I can call my Little Sissy, Esther (our beloved "Neen") to complain or cry or to "just talk" anytime day or night and she never complains.

 

Thank you Benny, Larry & Tony for being a role model for Ted.  Thank you Esther for being a "2nd mother" to Timi and Ted--and Thank you Gina, Rose, & Barbara for babysitting.

 

Thank you to Joseph (you're still "Joey" to me) who is like a brother  to us all and who was just a phone call away when I needed help when Ralph was out of town.

 

I am thankful for all my beautiful nieces and nephews and their families.  Your parents are proud of you all.

 

I LOVE YOU ALL--AND I THANK GOD FOR BLESSING ME WITH SUCH A WONDERFUL FAMILY.

 

                                 

                                          

                                              Happy Birthday Petra! Thanks for the beautiful and kind words.