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I must begin with My Father, my first hero and to this day still one if my best friends. For the most part I was raised primarily by my father which in itself says a lot. My father always ensured that I knew who I was, why I was and where I came from. He named me (AnnieRose) after both of my grandmothers because he said they were two of the strongest women he knew. He raised me to be proud of who I was. He would tell me things like "when you get married, you aren't going to change your last name", hints the hyphen in my last name. He always taught me that school was not 12 years but 16, so I always knew that I was going to college. He ensured that I was aware of my surroundings, read street names and watched for the people around me. My father taught me to respect myself and others, stand up for myself and to be honest. I could go on and on about this man but I will spare my readers, just know that my love for him has no end.
My Sister Christina is my twin who is not my twin at all. We look nothing alike in fact and we are 2 1/2 years apart. My mother use to dress us alike when we were children and my father always bought two of the same toy for us. She was my best friend as a child and even to this day we remain very good friends and sisters, we confided in each other then just as we do now. I looked up to my sister as a child and wanted to do many of the things that she did. It doesn't surprise me one bit that my children adore her and always want to be with her.
My Aunt Martha is a true Blessing on Earth and if Fairy Godmothers were real, she would have been mine as a child. My father had so much trust in my aunt that he named her my guardian at birth and even trusted me to live with her for a short time. Just like a loving individual would, she nurtured me, groomed me, ensured I went to school, did homework and took me to church. One thing for sure that remains to this day, I never had an empty plate at Aunt Martha's house and my family and I can never leave without eating first.
Mrs. King was my third grade teacher, she had the most gentle spirit. She got to know me as a student but also she got to know me as a young person and my family dynamic and became friends with my grandmother. Mrs. King took her time with me and all of her students but she also made me feel special. From time to time she would even ask me "did you get that letter out of my bag for your grandmother?" That letter was actually a blow pop for me lol. Mrs. King and my grandmother are still friends and when she goes to visit my grandmother they give me a call just so that I may speak with my "old teacher".
Ms. Mathis was my sixth grade YMCA teacher. I know that this is a bit beyond early childhood but her impact still exists. Ms. Mathis and I met at a point where we gained from each other now that I am older to realize this. She was in her first year of teaching and I needed a mentor without even knowing it. My mother was not a constant in my younger life and that is where Ms. Mathis came in. We had conversations that a daughter should have with a mother figure, she kept me grounded and made sure that I behaved in school. She loved me even though she did not have to. She was the first young female adult I viewed and thought "I can truly be someone". I'm sure you will find it to no surprise that Ms. Mathis (now Kim to me) and I are still very close. The dynamic of our relationship has changed and we are more like peers and friends. Her children view me as a sister or aunt as we remain in each others lives.
