Personal Childhood Web

These are the people who shape up my childhood "ecological" system!

Microsystem

Mother- Her name was Cherry.  She passed away when I was 6.  Her education didn’t extend past high school.  I am my mother’s only child.  My early childhood lifestyle before the age of 6 was very different compared to my later childhood.  We moved around a lot.  I don’t think that my mom had a lot of money.  However we were still probably better off than most.  At the same time she did the best that she could.  One thing I could say is I was definitely well taken care of, and loved.  I was a very introverted child up until age 7 or 8.

Aunt/Parent- My aunt’s name is Nadine.  She is my mother figure.  My AuntNadine was good about getting us involved in activities.  One of my favorite things as a child was to go to this summer program.  I went up until the age of 12 as a student.  Then at the age of 13 I still stayed involved by being a junior counselor.  Even then I had certain finesse when it came to working with children.     

Uncle/Parent- My uncle’s name is Sam.  He is my father figure.  My uncle use to take me and by brother fishing.  He was the main disciplinary figure in the household.  He fused the most, but was truly the softy.  He taught us to learn how to do for yourself and don’t look for anyone to give you anything.  Life is not about getting handouts.  Work hard for what you want.  Be respectable to people, but at the same time don’t take any mess, because at the end of the day he always had our back!  My uncle is the man who made sure I knew myself worth as a young lady.  He made sure to tell me how special I was on a continuous basis.  That way I wouldn’t be so naïve when it came to dating.  If a young man would compliment me and try to speak little nothings into my ear, it was no big deal.  I had enough awareness and self confidence that I didn’t have to get swept away.

Brother-Partner in crime.  Kevin was my Aunt and Uncles youngest until I came around.  Kevin taught me to be tough, and competitive.  Everything was a competition.  The more successful he was at something was the more successful I had to be.  I don’t know if he is still in competition with me.  But a little of me is still in competition with him.

Exosystem—

Neighbor-Melissa was my first closest friend ever.  We would be fighting one minute and the best of friends the next.  Melissa was my first business partner.  We use to have lemonade stands, and sold popped popcorn.  We also had a couple of failed business together.  One time we were going to start a gardening business.  We made the fliers and went door to door in our neighborhood.  We had a few neighbors who would humor us and say that they were interested.  But needless to say we never planted one garden.  I mean our neighbors were nice but who was really going to let an 8 and 9 year old dig up their yard.  Melissa’s family was like my second family.  Her parents Robert and Janice took me everywhere they went.  Robert and Janice looked at me, as their own.  Melissa’s younger sisters were like my own younger sisters.  Janice and Robert use to even come and support me at some of my games. 

All my neighbors were always supportive.  If I was selling something for school they bought it.  If I needed to be sponsored for a fundraisers they sponsored me.  As a child this is so encouraging.  They would also tell on me if I was doing something that I shouldn’t have been doing.  Just thinking back now makes my heart smile.

Macrosystem—

Grandmother- My grandmother’s name was Eloise.  My grandmother took care of foster kids and she is actually the one who took my mother in.  My grandmother showed her love, and support.  Then I came along!  This is the only family that I have known.

Great grandmother- I loved this lady.  Whenever my grandmother use to watch me I hung out with my great-grandmother.  She would show me how to cook, take care of my toys, and sew.  She was very old and barely could see, so I use to thread all her needles for her.  I use to help her in any way that I could.  My granny was there a lot for me when my mother passed away.  My granny was a key factor in my life turning out the way it did.  After my mother died she is the one who asked my aunt and uncle to come get me.  Miss Mary is what they called her.  She said to them, “this one is different, she doesn’t belong here.”  That statement right there makes me strive everyday to be a better person.  The kind of person who of course makes mistakes;  but thinks of others, and truly want to make a difference! 

Writing this blog:  Reminds me again, about all the wonderful people I’ve had and have in my life.  This is a humbling moment indeed! 

Please not that the model used is based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological Theory