There were not many people in my life whom I can say were there for me. I lost the 2 most important people in my life very early on: 1) my mother when I was just 4 years old and 2) my father when I was 10 years old. I can't really say anything about my mother as I do not remember her, but my father was there for me the best way he knew how. I love music and singing and my dad would play his base and sing to us (me and my 2 brothers) all the time. One poignant moment when I knew he really must love me was when he had to comb some dreads out of my hair. I had been in charge of my hair and was to comb it myself every morning. I was not doing so however and the 2 ponytails I had turned into dreadlocks. My father took me to a hair dresser who proceeded to inform he they would have to cut them out. My dad was not having that. He took me home and proceeded to tackle the job him and he got them out, saving my long, beautiful, wavy hair. I cried and screamed but he did not yell at or whip me. He just kept at what he was doing and I knew he loved me.
The second person in my life who looked after me as my father requested (another reason I knew he loved me) was my aunt-his sister. She was the one who told me about my menses when I found the chair I was sitting filled with blood. She was the one who kept my cousins messing with me-I was very shy and kept to myself some. I remember a time after my father had died that it came to be her birthday. I came be a decorative mug and gave it to her for her birthday. I was very proud of the mug and hoped it conveyed how much I loved her. Well her (adult) son gave her a beautiful handbag. I felt foolish about my gift and sat about pouting. Later that day she came over to me and said, "You try to act bad but inside you are a softy." In parting she kissed me on the cheek. That is when I knew she must love me because she paid attention enough to really know me.
Christine- Your father sounds awesome! My dad would not have taken me home from the barber to untangle my hair rather he would have told them to cut it off. And your Aunt knows how much thought and feeling you put into her gift. When it comes to gifts from adults versus children, the children win hands down. Gifts that come from children have a way to tug at your heart strings.
ReplyDeleteChristine I loved reading your post, I read it twice. Now you know that was love when your dad saved your hair, because when I tangled my hair at 12, they just cut it off. Adults, especially parents, loves gifts that comes from the heart. Your aunt might still have that mug to remind her of you.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine,
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories of your dad and aunt. I too love that your dad spent the time to tackle the knots in your hair. Like Kelisha, I had knots in my long hair and had to get it cut short. Your aunt no doubt treasured the mug you gave her.
Tamara
Hello Christine,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory to have of your Dad. I know my Dad would have had my hair cut! I'm sure your Aunt has treasured that mug because she knows it was from the heart!
I am also very close to my dad and enjoyed every day I had with him. THank you so much for shareing about who you are and how you became the person you are today.
ReplyDelete