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.
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| Family dancing at my sister's wedding |
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| My Grandma |
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| My cousins and Me |
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| Me and my little sister |
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| Me my brother and sister |
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| My dad, me and my brother |
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| Me, my cousin, and my niece |
