Journey thru Early Childhood Education: 2013-09-15

The people who nurtured and cared about me when I was a child include; Hattie T(mother), Robert Devine Sr. (father), Tonia (cousin), John D (uncle), and LV and Della Thurman (grandparents). My mother Hattie T Thurman was a loving, hard working mother. She has six children and I am number four. My mom and I were very close. She was everything to me. She was a loving, caring, hard working, smart, and spiritual individual. She always made me feel loved. Each and every day my mom worked over twelve hours to ensure that we all had food, clothing and shelter. She was the greatest person I ever met. Our relationship was built on love, trust and support. She put her trust in me and in return I put all of my trust in her. My mom influenced me to become a great leader, hard worker, and a loving and caring individual. She was all of those things and more. She showed me how to be the best, yet she always told us to be better than she was. She nurtured us in a funny way. She worked hard to make sure we had everything we needed, and most of the things we wanted. Although she hardly ever said I love you, we knew it by the way she treated us. We knew we were loved by her presence, her smile and other things. My mom did not care too much for hugs, but we often hugged and kissed her when we needed to. My mom made me feel special whenever she requested a song from me. She would say, “Sing for your mama baby.” I love her so much. It is sad to say, but our mother died at the age of forty-seven. I was only seventeen and two of my sibling we preteens. Her legacy lives on because, every day I strive to be better in everything I do.

Robert Devine Sr. is my father. He is loving and caring in his own ways. Even though I may not agree with everything he says or does, he is my dad and I love him very much. I am in a catch 22 because; my dad is my father and my pastor. He is a Rabbi who has lead many people over the course of sixty years. When he is my dad, he is very fun and enjoyable to be around; but when he is the pastor, everybody better watch out. Now that he is older, his main role is my pastor and not my dad. When I was a child, he would take me and my brother to Chicago every year to see my sister; we had many fun summers traveling with him. He nurtured me by always giving me hugs and kisses. He always told me what to look out for in life. He taught me how to be strong and not to let anyone take advantage of me. My dad is great in so many ways. He proved I was special because, he never denied me and he has always been a part of my life.

My cousin Tonia has always been a major part of my life. She was responsible for our needs while my mom was working. She cared for us by feeding us and helping with our homework. She always taught us right from wrong. Tonia drove us wherever we needed to go. She is a great influence in regards to life lessons and education. She always told us to stay in school and showed us the path we should take in life. She lets me know I am special because, she brags to everyone she meets about how well I sing. I know my cousin Tonia love and supports me because, she gives me hugs and kisses and tells me how proud she is of me. She is one of the driving forces for pursuing my education; I am very grateful.

My uncle John D was one of the greatest men I have ever met. Although he had a family of his own, he always took the time to show us nature. He taught all of us how to hunt and farm; and how to shoot a gun. He taught us how to ride horses and how to feed the chickens. He nurtured me by being there for me whenever I needed him, no matter what it was concerning. He made me feel special because, he always considered me as one of his children. I always traveled with him and his family over the years. The last trip we took was to Virginia. That year he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for West Virginia State. I am glad he invited me because, the following year he died, and for that reason he will always be in my heart.

My grandparents LV and Della Thurman were always in my life. Most of my maternal family lived on many acres together. Most of my aunts and uncles lived next to my mother and grandparents. My grandmother cooked each day and we were invited over to eat at any time. I am glad we were in walking distance, because this allowed me to see my grandparents every day. They nurtured me by giving love, providing transportation, food, and any other necessity I needed. They also helped my mom to care for us whenever my cousin Tonia had a basketball game. My grandparents show me how special I am by allowing me to be myself. They have supported me throughout my life. My grandfather is deceased, but my grandmother is still there to lend a helping hand.

My family as a whole continues to influence me by the things they do. If someone does not finish college, this drives me to teach them what I have learned. This makes them want to attend school for themselves. I am influenced by the long lasting marriage between my grandparents; this makes me want to find someone to spend the rest of my life with. I am influenced by all of the hard workers in my family; this makes me want to work hard while I am young, and retired when I am older. Most of the people in my family travel all over the world; this is why I am always out of town. Each member of my family has impacted me in so many ways, I am glad I found my path so I can impact them in a better way. I have a great family and they influence me to be great. I am great, but I am stilling striving to become greater.