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If the picture doesn't give it away this is my best friend aka my mom Teka. She is so much to me it's hard to put in words how she's influenced my life. Growing up we did not have the best relationship I am the oldest child and the only girl so she was super hard on me (C's were unacceptable, A 4 on the FCAT was unacceptable* ). Even though we were always at odds she always showed me affection and told me how much she loved me.
*For those not from Florida. The FCAT was a standardized test the highest score one could achieve was a 5 and 3 was passing.
This is my grandma Elaine. She was my dad's mother. My grandma was a very special woman and I was her first and only grand child for 10 years. We had an extremely close bond. She was always a listening ear if I was upset, she kept my favorite foods and snacks in its own special cabinet, and she allowed me to lay on her shag rug. My grandma had OCD and no one could even walk on her shag rug but it was my favorite place to read so she let me then made my dad sweep all the fabric the same way.
This is my granddaddy. He has always been there to help me. He helped me paint my rooms and learn to ride bikes. I am 1 of 10 grandchildren but my granddaddy has always been just a call away. Whatever extracurricular activity I participated in he was always there front and center. He didn't miss plays, dance recitals, or graduations.
This is my great grandmother. She was our family's matriarch. While she was loving and always had a smile when I was behaving, she was a strict disciplinarian. She instilled respect and expected the best from me. This is one of the last videos I have of her and one of my favorites. It shows her smile.
This is my maternal grandmother. To her I could do no wrong. Her home was a sanctuary from both of my parents and she would often tell them they could leave her house if they were going to fuss at her grand-babies. My younger brothers were born on Feb 12th so as a child she would buy me gifts on Valentines Day so I wouldn't feel left out. My grandmother was my safe haven. She still makes me Easter baskets filled with my favorite things.
