Personal Childhood Web

There have been several people that have made an impact in my life but the five that stands out are; my mother, my great grandmother, my grandparents, my six grade teacher.

My mother died when I was 10 years old.  The short time that I had her in my life she guided me to love education.  My fondest memory of my mom is us going to school and church together, watching her sew clothes, us putting puzzles together, us painting pictures by numbers, her teaching me how to crochet, her reading me stories while I lay beside her, her waking me us singing,"Wake up little Suzy."  I used to write her little love notes and leave them around the house for her to find them.  Then she would write back and I would find notes taped to my clothes or pinned on my dolls.

This is me Tarshia!

This is my mom, Louise.

My Great Grandmother was a true inspiration because she was an entrepreneur. She was known throughout the community as cousin Louise.  She raised and sold cattle and vegetables.  She was a midwife and raised several children. She owned several acres of land.  The fondest memory I have with my my great grandmother is when she taught me how to collect eggs from the chicken coup.  I used to follow her around the farm copying her doing chores.

 This is my great grandmother's house in Virginia. 

My grandparents are just wonderful because when my mother passed away they moved me into there home and continued to give me the love that my mother gave me.  I basically "replaced" my mother in their lives and they "replaced" her in mine.  I love and cherish them dearly because without them I do not know where I will be today.  My grandfather passed away in 08 from the same cancer that my mother did.  It was very heartbreaking to relive the same scenario again.  However, this time I was able to help.  I gave him the help I wish I would have been able to give my Mother.  My grandparents had a great work ethic. They owned farms,several acres of land and houses that they rented out. They both worked over 35 years in factory jobs. My grandfather was a contractor by trade and always did repairs on people houses.   My grandmother stills work today as a lunch aide.

 This is my grandparents William and Evelyn Vaughan.

My 6th grade teacher-Mr. Earl Kights. When I reached his class I was depressed because of my mother passing and was not adjusting well to a new school.  I gave him hell.  We argued everyday, I was rude and very disrespectful.  I can only pin point when our relationship started to change by him giving the class the assignment of making a newspaper.  He made me do the obituary.  Then he started to make me talk more about my feelings.  Now we are over 20 years later and he is one of my most cherished friends.  We talk on the phone on  a regular basis and he still guides me with his wisdom.  Mr. Kights has my up most respect.  Every year he comes to my class and reads at Read Across America Day.

This is Mr. Kights reading to my class for Read Across America. 

Each person continues to be a true inspiration in my life.  They give me the strength to keep going even when I feel like quitting.  Mr. Kights offers me his wisdom.  If I need help with anything he is always available. My mother, her legacy lives through me. My grandparents, will always have my back.  My great grandmother, her leadership skills, and her caring personality taught me how to love and appreciate people.