Bigma and Grandpa were the ultimate parents; not just because they were my grandparents, but because they went above and beyond to make sure that their family was well taken care of. They were Godly people and tried to live their lives according to the Word. They were actually my great grandparents and raised three generations without one gripe or complaint and did it with love and joy. They were born and raised in SpartanburgSC but moved to Flint, MI many years ago when grandpa went to work at. Bigma really didn’t work but she was home raising kids and grand kids and once I and my older brother were born she than raised great grand kids.
My parents were in the military when we born so we lived with them in flint til about the age of three when he retired and we moved back to Spartanburg. Bigma was the type of woman that accepted all children as her children, neighborhood kids, friend s at school, even kids from the church. She would cook enough dinner to feed the neighborhood because she k new they were coming. She showed me how a lady should be and carry myself as such. She taught me to always use proper English and expand my vocabulary, good posture, morals, respect for other and self-respect.
Most of all she showed me self-worth and how to be humble. As a kid I thought they were old fashioned because they were older and I would always say this is a new generation. Once my parents were out the military we stayed a few more yrs. but later went home but we came to visit every summer and would spend the entire summer. I loved her and loved spending time with her we would wake up to Regis and Kathy lee and later the Soaps. She showed me how to straighten hair and braid hair. She got me my first sewing machine and showed me how to make dress and pillows and other things.
She taught me how to cook and properly apply makeup. We would sit and play 500 and rummy for hours then watch WWF. She loved her some stone cold Steve Austin. Grandpa was a more serious man he hated my foolery and thought I was so rotten lol and it was my grandmother’s fault. I used to wake him up when he was napping, bother him while he was watching his westerns and Matlock then when he would get fed up he would chase me with his shoe and I would run straight to my grandmother and hide behind her. But he showed me what a man was supposed to be a provider my protector and most of all a leader.
Grandpa was a well-respected trustworthy and honest man and was acknowledged everywhere he went by everyone. He was a man of his word and his word was his bond. He woke up about 4:30 -5 am every morning he went and got his breakfast and made us breakfast and never missed a day. But I remember he used to always forget to turn off alarm before opening door to get the paper and burn the toast and set off smoke detectors in the kitchen. He brought Bigma breakfast in bed every morning with her coffee. He always made sure we looked nice and presentable when we went out the door.
He would go to his favorite store (JC Penny’s and get our school clothes and clothes for church. He woke up every morning and drove 20-30 mins to take us to school and pick us up from our after school functions. He never missed a program sporting event or graduation, well except for my high school because he was sick and he passed a couple weeks following. He went to church every Sunday and made sure we went and gave us a quarter 2 dimes and a nickel for offering. Looking back, I realized they did everything they did to prepare me for life and have a bright future. They always said we can be whatever we want to be.
She always greeted me in the morning with good morning Miss America as she did all the girls and the guys as Mr. President of the US. Even though they’re gone now I still here there voices and see their facial expressions when I go to slouch or use incorrect grammar and in the way I carry myself. They lived long enough to make sure everyone would be okay once they were gone. And I will forever be thankful for everything and opportunities they allowed me to have. I push myself to be great every day because I know they’re looking down watching and smiling with their heads held high.
