My Childhood Web
My
personal childhood web consists of people who nurtured and cared about me as a
child. These people are my father, my step-mother, and my grandmother and my grandfather on my mother’s side.
My father, Richard, is a very strict, no-nonsense type person. He did not want children but always did the responsible thing when it came to raising me. I believe that is how my father nurtured and cared about me. The way that my father made me feel special was by choosing me. My mother left us a lot when my sister and I were little, then finally left for good. The person who took care of us full time, on his own, was my dad. That was very rare in those days. My father fought for me and raised me no matter what the obstacle.
To this day my step-mother continues to encourage me, give me advice, and helps me to see what is really true about life. She is also a great spiritual guide and has been very sacrificial in her giving. My father and my step-mother both have sacrificed a lot of their lives not only for me, but for me and my son.
My father, Richard, is a very strict, no-nonsense type person. He did not want children but always did the responsible thing when it came to raising me. I believe that is how my father nurtured and cared about me. The way that my father made me feel special was by choosing me. My mother left us a lot when my sister and I were little, then finally left for good. The person who took care of us full time, on his own, was my dad. That was very rare in those days. My father fought for me and raised me no matter what the obstacle.
To this day my dad remains my spiritual and logical compass. If I have a question about the Bible or God, I ask my dad. If I don’t understand something about life with regard to circumstances and relationships, I go to my dad. My father and I have the best relationship now that we have ever had.
My step-mother, Diedra, is a very larger than life person. She came around after a couple of years of my father being on his own. She tossed everything we knew out the window and did things her way, thank God! My step-mother nurtured and cared for me by teaching me how to be a woman. She taught me what to do and what not to do. My step-mother was the one that I could always count on to tell it to me straight. If I had a problem, she listened and gave me advice. She always encouraged me and wanted the best for my life.
To this day my step-mother continues to encourage me, give me advice, and helps me to see what is really true about life. She is also a great spiritual guide and has been very sacrificial in her giving. My father and my step-mother both have sacrificed a lot of their lives not only for me, but for me and my son.
My grandparents are wonderful people. My grandparents watched my sister and me when we were young, a lot! After my parents got married, and my mom wasn’t around, they offered to take my sister and me every other weekend. My step-brother and sister went to their father’s house every other weekend, so they thought they would do the same. My grandparents were very different from my parents. My parents did not have a lot of resources and time to do a lot with four children. But my grandparents felt very passionate about giving me and my sister all that they could. I don’t mean material things, but experiences. We got to cook, bake, (there’s a difference!), play games, go places, and really enjoy each other’s company. I felt spoiled there. I really feel they understood what we needed in the way of nurturing.
To this day my grandparents and I have a special relationship. I currently go to there house as often as I can to bake, cook, and even quilt! My grandmother always decorates her house for every holiday and I love taking my son to her house so he can experience the same things I got to when I was a little girl.
I truly believe that without the entire village raising me and my sister that we would not have turned out the way we have. I think we both could have had a lot more emotional pain and damage having an absent mother, but with the support of the four people mentioned above, we were able to have many wonderful experiences and life traditions.
(My father and step-mother are pictured in the middle)
