Personal Childhood Web

    

 1.     My mother has been my biggest supporter.  I am her only daughter and the first of 5 children so mum cherished all my childhood experiences.  She worked relentlessly for her daughter as well as the rest of the family. She has been my first teacher, my protector, my provider and my friend.  She possesses that unassuming nurturing spirit that propelled me to pursue my dreams.  Her warm disposition makes communicating with her quite easy.  She always availed herself to attend my school related activities such as sport meets, fair, concerts and parent teachers meetings as well as my social engagements and my religious activities while growing up.  Mum automatically claims the prize as my most ardent supporter. One of her famous sayings was: “Early bird catches the worm.”  This would have been heard when for one reason or another I awoke late or time eluded me because I was attempting to complete some school related activity.

      Today, I continue to pursue my dreams with the aim of affecting and effecting changes as a result of her influence in my life.  I take an interest in my nieces and nephews development as well as the development of others in order to stimulate their learning.  I try to exemplify that warm disposition which mum possesses and which is responsible for connecting her with others in some extraordinary ways.  

 2.       My father has also been supportive of my development.  He has been the breadwinner, my counselor and my teacher.  While growing up, I considered my dad a bit stern so I always tried to fix things before he arrived home.  My interactions with him were not as fluid as those with my mother but I think he meant well.  He was self-employed so he worked assiduously to ensure I acquired what was essential in life.  Even though he loved me dearly, he was not very expressive about it.  I think his childhood experiences may have accounted for that.  He encouraged me to try my best. His very presence signified protection.  My dad would constantly say to me while growing up: “There are four things that come not back - The spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity. Dad values family so he made it his business to take his family to visit other relatives so we can be familiar with each other and strengthen the bond created.  Today, that type of connection is being fostered through family reunions.

Dad’s impact has instilled in me the need to work honestly for your day’s pay.  Being a self employed person, he has encouraged me to own my own business and even though I have not heeded his call as yet, I try to be thrifty and seek out investment opportunities. He also taught me to value family and maintain that connection.

  3.    My maternal grandmother showed tremendous support during my early years.  The family actually lived with grandma until we acquired our first home.  For my first 8 years grandma shared her home with us.  During that time, granny provided that affectionate touch to my development. She regularly communicated with me, ensuring that my social, emotional and spiritual needs were being addressed.  She shared many of her experiences with me  – visiting the well was a regular occurrence because of the irregular water supply so once there she will wash her clothes as well as collect water for home usage, the long journeys on foot she had to undertake as well as stories at nights on the steps under the moonlight. 

      As an adult, I still cherish those vivid experiences I shared with my grandmother. Her patience and love which she shared with me, those family moments we experienced are vital for connecting family members and her unwavering dedication and commitment to her dear ones which as an adult I must share with those around me to ensure that strong family ties are pass on from generation to generation.

4.      Aunt Valnese is my dad’s last sister.  The families visited each other regularly especially on special seasons hence strengthening the bonds which exist between us.  Conversations usually centered on my home and school activities. My aunt provided academic support to her nieces and nephews on Saturdays.  Besides being opportunities to nurture certain skills in us it was an opportunity to collaborate and strength that family connection among ourselves.

         I still remember those nurturing experiences and because of those experiences I continue to hold my aunt in high esteem.  I chat with her regularly on the telephone and visit her from time to time.  She is now retired but that has not altered our relationship in anyway.

5.      Godfather Jimmy has upheld the vows he made as a godparent.  He has been very supportive during my early years.  Regularly visiting the family, interacting with me and providing that encouragement any young girl requires to boost her self confidence and to motivate her to excel at school. I spent some of my vacation time with him and his family.  His children were older than I and they were excelling at school so I was encouraged to work hard in order to succeed. We played many games together and shared many wonderful beach experiences. The warm nurturing encounters only served to increase my visits.

       I think it is imperative that I too provide support to others because of the type of support I received as a child from my godfather.  I see the need to foster family time through the playing of games and other activities since they helped to nurture characteristics such as patience, perseverance and the willingness to embrace new opportunities. In addition, due to the loving nurturing experience I always try to engage young children whenever the opportunity arises validating them and allowing them to express themselves.