Hello Everyone,
The first two people that I would like to introduce you to is my grandmother and grandfather. Their names are Charlie and Estelle Knowlton. These two people were very instrumental in my life. My grandparent's received custody of me when I was nine years old due to my mother dieing in a house fire. They are my father's parents I did not know my mother's parents very well. These two people influenced my life by introducing me to religion and rearing me to be considerate to all people. They were loving grandparent's who believed that I should have whatever I wanted. They taught me to be polite, giving, thankful and to love all people. They encouraged me to study hard and get good grades in school. Whenever I had a problem my grandmother always made me feel better. Both of my grandparents have now passed, but they continue to influence my life because I am the person that they reared me to be. My experiences surrounding my grandparents helped me to become the confident, loving, nurturing, un-selfish person that I am today. I can remember my grandparents feeding everyone in the neighborhood. I have taken on this caring nature. I can remember when I was a little girl being teased by an older sister, she would always call be black as if it was a sin, her skin complexion being lighter than mine. I remember crying to my grandmother and telling her what my sister had said. My grandmother would always tell me this one thing to tell my sister. She would say to tell her, " the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice". This would always make me feel so good. I thought that I was the sweetest little girl in the world.
Another person who influenced my life in a big way was my father. I often here people say how their father was never in their life. I have to say that I do not know how that feels and I am very grateful. My father is a great daddy and a great "grandaddy" as my two sons calls him. He influenced me to do my best then and now. My father is so proud of me and it makes me feel very special. I was his first born and only daughter for 26 years. I can remember as a young girl walking on top of my daddy's feet. My father made me feel safe, my grandmother would always say that my daddy thought that I could "hold up the sun".
The other people who influenced my life growing up were my aunts and uncles. They are my father's siblings. My grandparents had 9 children. I was the first grandaughter and the only grandchild in the city. My dad's oldest brother had one son, they lived in San Antonio, Texas. So needless to say, I was spoiled rotten being the only grandchild to my grandparents, and the only niece to 7 aunts and uncles. I remember my uncle Kenny driving me to school on the back of his motorcycle, those were the good days. My aunts and uncles always encouraged me to do my best and they continue to this day. They always supported me in whatever it was that I wanted to do in life. I wanted to talk about them individually, but it would take to much time, and I kind of see them as a whole. The same way that I view my grandparents.
In conclusion, I had a great support system, as I still do today. I was born into a great family. Although, I did not know my mother parents and siblings that well, I don't feel like I have missed anything. I had all of the love and support a person could ask for. I feel as though I was truly blessed. I was born into a great family of honor, love, and courage. My uncle Charlie retired from the Air Force, my dad fought in the Vietnam war and my grandfather fought in World War II. I am as proud of my family as they are of me.
I don't have any pictures to upload, but there is one saying that my grandmother would tell me all thei time. " You are not better than anyone, and noone is better than you, always remember that" This was her way of saying, stay humble and treat everyone with love and respect, never look down on anyone and do not let anyone make you feel unworthy or important. Respect all, from the sanitation worker to the president of the United States.
Hello Michelle,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post about your family. My grandparents on my mother’s side had 5 children and I, like you, was the first granddaughter (on both sides). I spent more time with my mother’s side of the family but as I got older I became closer to my dad’s side of the family. I have one uncle on my dad’s side but lots of 2nd and 3rd cousins who are much older than me. My grandmother, my dad’s mother, was very religious and tried her best to teach me about it. We went to vacation bible school in the summer, had bible study every morning (I stayed with her during some summers) and could only watch "God" like programs on her limited channel TV. Now that I am older and she is no longer here, I wish I would have paid more attention. She knew the bible from cover to cover and could pull the right scripture for any situation. I would say, like you, my grandmother played a huge role in introducing me to religion.