Personal Childhood Web

Let me start with my parents. They have been married for almost 50 years. Even though my dad got sick and became blind, my mother stayed through it all. Although there were ups, downs, and in betweens, God blessed me with two parents who are loving, caring, and hard-working. Being the youngest of 10 children, however, they spoiled me absolutely rotten. Even in that, they taught me valuable things, such as the importance of education, the fact that self-confidence matters, and that loving God should be first priority in my life. I'll never forget how my parents knew that I was smart but lazy. I could get A's without trying, so whenever I brought home anything less than a close-to-perfect score, my dad would ask me, "What happened to the other points?" It would hurt my little feelings so bad then, but I now realize that my father was showing me that he knew I was not doing my best. I can appreciate that now because I want to do my best in everything I do. Give 100% 100% of the time! My parents still influence me, especially in my decisions to raise my little girl. 

Do you remember doing those little spider-web graphic organizers in school that looked like the one above? Growing up, it never occurred to me that just like paragraphs and ideas can be interconnected, so can humans. In the center of this spider web would be me, Felicia--the childhood Felicia, of course. The most important extensions from my web would be the following:

My parents, my siblings, my 8th grade English teacher, my childhood best friend, and my pastor from age 17-25.

My family:
I'm the bright one in the white socks. I was two here.
My dad was sick with the disease that caused his blindness,
so he wasn't in the picture.

My nine siblings spoiled me, too, but they were there to give me support for pretty much everything I did. If it wasn't for my sisters, I would have never made it to prom. They took me to get my nails done, shopping for a dress, chauffeured me and my cousin, and got my hair done: all at their expense! My oldest sister taught me how to read. My second-oldest brother taught me how to drive. My youngest older brother taught me how to tie my shoes. My sisters and brothers helped me to experience things outside of my backyard; I knew about college before time because I visited them there. I went on trips with one of my sisters every year, and we traveled good distances away from home. The experiences I had with them greatly influenced who I am today. Though every day wasn't easy, they taught me what family is and what family isn't, and as God continues to build my own little family, I will instill in my daughter (and future children???? Lord, help, lol) what I learned.

My 8th grade English teacher was my inspiration. She believed in my potential as a writer and an artist, and would stay after school just to have conversations with me. She challenged me, refusing to accept my laziness. She provided me with enrichment in class because she knew my IQ was high. If it wasn't for her, I would have never realized that both writing and art were my passions. I already knew I loved doing both but she is who helped to realize that those two areas were deeply embedded in me. The things she taught me about the compassion and relationships and connections that teachers build with their students is what I have patterned my classroom after, and will continue to add new information to the foundation she gave me.

Me and my childhood best friend

My childhood best friend became my best friend because his phone call stopped me from attempting suicide. He taught me so much, like how to keep secrets and how to be my own person instead of being clingy. I was the first person he came out to (when we were 14), and now he and his husband are happily married. We don't talk much, but what he taught me about keeping personal things personal I still do to this day.

My pastor I had from age 17-25 introduced me to the sincerity of a Christian's heart. He and my former first lady exhibited the love of Christ so much that it made me want to be a better person. I will always know that it was at that church under their leadership that helped me to begin my personal journey with God. I daily add to my relationship with God, and I am so grateful for what I have learned spiritually.