Here I am not realizing what the future holds. Not knowing how important the people that I had in my corner would be to my future. I am sitting here possible angry with one of them for not giving me what I wanted at the time. But looking forward 30 years I know how each and every one of those special people influenced and shaped who I am today and I am extremely grateful!
My Mother! The most influential person in my life. She has made the most impact along with the most sacrifice possible for anyone person to make. She struggled most of the time to provide for my brother and me. She even took in her elderly father to care for him when he was ill. I love my mother with every ounce of my soul for being such a dedicated mother. She is the strongest women I know even though she has been through so much in her life after her mother passing when she was young she dedicated herself to be the best mother possible. About 10 years ago she experienced the biggest lost possible, my brother. He passed away at the tender age of 36 suffering a massive heart attack leaving behind a wife and three beautiful daughters. My mother still struggles getting through this tragedy. But she always find a way to still be the best mother possible and giving words of confidence to me all the time. She always tells me how special I am to her especially since I am her only child now. She still encourages me to do anything that I put my mind to and she even helped me to decide to go back to school to further my education. I am forever grateful to have her around!
My grandmother Laura Brandon (my fathers mother) has also had a really important influence on my life as a child. She is the mother of 9 of her own children. She was always there for me and taught me a lot of what I know today. She taught me how to cook and clean when I was young and I treasure this so much today. My grandmother would sit me down and take time to talk about what life was like when she was coming up and she helped me to realize how different the world is today and how you must treasure good people when the enter your circle. She always gave hugs and kisses and even though she has 32 grandchildren she makes each one of us feel special when we see her. She always tells me how proud she is of me and always wants the best for all of her grandchildren. I love her so much and love the lessons I have learned from her.
My father Bruce & my son Kaden
My father Bruce and my best friend! He is really special to me and has always been there when I needed him. He has been a great influence because he started a business as a young man and always encouraged me to do whatever it is you put your mind to. He would say "make sure you complete what you start and never leave any rocks unturned" He was not great at having a nurturing spirit he more of a strong voice but he still made me feel confident in most things I attempted as child. He always makes me feel special whenever we talk. He is in failing health now and we try to encourage each other during these trying times but we are very happy when we talk and even happier when we spend time together. I love him a lot and am grateful to have him around.
My Aunt Linda and her daughter Janene and granddaughter Janai
A very special person to me my Aunt Linda. She was a true nurturer to me when I was young. She would take care of me when my parents had to work and she would always take me on her family vacation and trips with her every year as a child. She would always take time to talk to me and give me encouraging words of wisdom and enforced staying in school and how important it is. She still has a true impact on my life because she always tells me how proud she is that I have decided to continue my education and she always says how she wants the very best for me.
My youngest niece Tayane
My niece Briyane ( the middle child)
Another very special person to my life was my brother Edward and his daughters Briyane and Tayane. I do not have a picture of him but I do have a picture of his daughters. I had to save the best for last. I think my brother was the most influential person I have known. He was the perfect brother, the perfect son, the perfect father, the perfect husband and the perfect friend and I get so sad that the Lord had to take him away from us but I know that the Lords has a perfect plan in every occurrence so I just have to accept that my brother is in a better place and no longer has to suffer. He would always talk to me even as a child and tell me the right way to go and the right things to do. I know he loved me a lot because he would show it. He would never say it but he gave more than a little to show it. He would give his time and even his money if it were ever needed. He showed me who the Lord was and I am forever grateful for that. I always think of the encouraging words of advice he would give me whenever I get sad that I can't talk to him or spend time with him and I begin to smile. I truly love and miss my brother dearly!
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