My journey started as far back as I can remember. My mother was a 7th grade English and 8th grade American History teacher for over 35 years in West Memphis, Arkansas. She was the Valedictorian for her rural high school class in Parkin, Arkansas (a farm town of 2,500). Well in the 60's here comes life. She provided for us and organically provided for her students as she could. She tried to provide snacks and small items the students could eat over the weekend. If you know, you know! She made a difference in so many women and men's lives that they visited many times over the decades to say, "thank you". She has made such an impact that my brother has taken the torch and is a Vice Chancellor for Arkansas State University in West Memphis Arkansas and continues to impact so many women and men on their journey through this world.
I recall a day when she came home and had announced that one of my classmates and her previous students in Junior High now in High School with me, had experienced a fire that devasted their home and they hod lost everything. She quickly took us, and we inventoried everything we could give, and she took it and food to the Bohannan's temporary home. Melvin wasn't at school for some time but when saw him he had one of the shirts we gave him on, and I could clearly see how broken he was. My heart sank and the huge gifted, talented athlete seemed changed. I was broken for him. That was the first time I had realized the size of the heart of my Angelic Mother. Her spirit was to give. She was not a consumer. We all learned that same quality and now it's my time to carry our flag. I look forward to serving our Heroes!
