Personal Childhood Web

The people who were most influential in my life are:

My grandmother
mother
father
Mrs. Haggins

My grandmother was the most influential person in my life. She was the person who provided us with Maslow's hierarchy of needs that include psychological need, safety need, belonging need, and love need. The clothes we wore, the food we ate, and the home lived in was provided by her. She influenced my life by encourage me and sibling to always remain close, get and education and own your own business. My grandmother was not a hugger but we knew without a doubt she loved and cared fro us because she gave spent time with us playing volley ball and other games. Friday night's she would bring us a pizza from Pizza Hut on her way home from work. She did things often that made us feel special. My siblings and I still remain close checking on each other regularly; continuing my education was one of reasons I am pushing forward with this program. It has taken me awhile getting here but I want to finish because it was one of things my grandmother wanted for us.


My mother spend what time she was allowed by my grandmother which included weekends every few months in Washington D.C. We would go shopping for clothes and shoes at one our favorite malls in Maryland called White Flint Mall; the times she spent with us were always special because it was just my mom and my sibling. My mother still loves to go shopping with my sister and I her impact continues by the time we spend together.


My dad like my mom saw us for a weekend every few months and on holiday's. I remember my dad being a great cook; he would allow me to help him cook by cutting up vegetables for him. This time we spent together was meaningful. I also like riding with him when ran errands for my mom; I loved his driving anyone who has visited D.C. knows driving there is not for the faint at heart. I do not remember him sharing any meaningful words of encouragement. I guess he did not feel as though he could since we were not his responsibility full time and he did not want to anger my grandmother. His influence continues to impact me by my driving. I love driving; my sister has commented on several occasions that "you drive like my daddy". To me he was fearless behind the wheel.


Mrs. Haggins was my third grade teacher; she seem to take a special interest in me because I was very quiet and non-sociable during this time. I always felt she was tough on me. But, I realize she saw something in me that I was not aware of; during a parent-teacher conference with my grandmother she told her flat out I was lazy and not applying myself to the school work. Mrs. Haggins would tell me "you can do it anything you want because you are capable". Mrs. Haggins comment resonates with me everyday I know I am capable of accomplishing. There have been times in this program when I though I could not do it it has not been that long ago. But her comment to my grandmother is still fresh in mind; I believe I can do whatever I want.