A Legacy of Freedom - Life Lesson's for Grand's Girls

Breath of life, smiling faces of my grandchildren, and seeing them grow is my freedom. I think back on my life as a child, fruitful, nurturing, loved – well rounded. Family was the center of my world. Like my parents, I have watched the children grow. Exposed to a diverse culture, much different from my childhood, it has not hindered their ability to learn, to go places, or to excel in anything that they “choose” – select freely.

My mom came to school one day because I was hit with a ruler. (No, not my child! Lol) Mom didn’t play. Well, I came to find that the voice can be a powerful thing. Equality should be the same, though often it’s not. Therefore, one must stand up and speak up, be active in the daily lessons of life to ensure that the playing field is equal. Freedom – our children should have the same opportunity as any other child. We can’t just let things happen.

One summer my dad drove a friend and his family down to Daytona Beach, Florida. I went with them on the trip. I’ve always remembered the stopover at a motel someplace in the South. The adults said we have to stay at the “Colored Motel” – why couldn’t we stay at the other one? What freedom means to me is that there are no barriers or restrictions in life’s journey, and each generation thereafter.

We talk about many things, inquisitive little minds; my granddaughter had a school project on Thomas Jefferson, everything under the sun; his political life, family, you name it, we talked about it, even the slaves he owned – our rich African American Heritage. We can never forget where we came from, and what our family endured. The freedom our ancestors didn’t have, but what we have today – Freedom because of them.

Given the tools of encouragement, nurtured with love of family, mentoring, self awareness, faith and hope, they will have the same freedom that I do. The ability to make our own choices, the family heritage of love and support that cannot be taken away. Be in charge of our destiny. Be in control of our lives – our freedom!

~To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others – Nelson Mandela~