1. My Mom, Yong Ae Lewis is a Native of Korea. She has always been there for me. No matter what I am doing or what is going on in my life she is always there. I can call her today and she will be there for me. I have had to learn this lesson and in a way, the hard way, but no matter what, she will always love me and WILL always be there for me, because she is my MOM. I am the oldest of my mother's daughters. Culturally, I am obligated to take care of her as she once took care of me. This will happen when she gets older. The funny thing is that, it is not an obligation I feel, I would do it anyway, because she is my mother and I love her unconditionally. She was the disciplinarian in our family, but did it in love and taught me so much because of it. I am not upset her because of this but am very appreciative to her for doing it the way she did.
2. My Day, Ralph Lewis. He was my everything. He died just days before my 13th birthday, serving his country. He was in my life long enough to make that lasting impact on my life. I was daddy's little girl. There was nothing I would not do with him or for him. Even though he missed out on a lot, he was there for a lot of my firsts, like first step, first boyfriend and so many more. He taught me how to play basketball and the importance of an education. He was always there for me. Although my mother was more of the disciplinarian, I respected my father and would not test him. He had a lot of influence on my life then and even now. His teachings and foundations is how I raise my own family. He definitely nurtured my younger years. He provided for my sister, mother and I. I know he wasn't perfect but somehow he still sits on a pedal stool for me. As I said I learned the importance of an education from him. He gave me my foundation for it. I have the appreciation I do for education because of him. He would help me with homework. When I was a kid, he ordered the Encyclopedia set and each one would come a month at a time. When we got a new letter we would lay on the floor reading it together. That is a memory I will treasure always.
3. My cousins- Loncel, Loris, and Lewis Washington. When I was in those younger influential years, I grew up with my cousins on my dad's side of the family. My sister and I were the youngest, so all we wanted to do was hang around them. They were just so cool to us. They were pretty cool about it too, mostly, they let us hang with them. They made sure we never got hurt, it could of been cause then they would have gotten in trouble too, but they looked out for us. There was this one time sitting at my aunt's house where we were all sitting in the family room just hanging and they were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. They all went around answering the question. Well then it came to my sister and I; so we were expected to answer too. You have to know that my cousins are all at least 5-10 years older than us. But, I was still was required to answer. Growing up, the Huxtable's were a huge influence. So since I didn't not want to be in school forever, I chose to be a Lawyer, cause I did not want to go to school as long as a doctor had to. Plus, who didn't love Claire Huxtable. Well, from that point on I made it my mission to make my words a reality. Because in that conversation, we were also told that once a person chooses a career, they will change it at least a dozen times; and I was determined for that not to be me. Well, I can honestly say that I held onto that until my sophomore year in college. And then it did change at least a few times more, but I still walked away with those characteristics that help build who I am today. They greatly influenced my younger years. I still talk to my cousins, as much as I can. I love my cousins dearly. Only they can get away with calling me the nicknames they did when I was a child, today.
4. My aunt- Linda Washington "AKA" Aunt Tooty. She was just my favorite aunt growing up. She had the best house to be at. I could be there all the time if my parents let me. She became a foster parents when I was a kid and gave me the idea that I too could give back in this way. She was a God-fearing woman. They said I looked like her as a kid and I just ate that up. I loved to hear it. She guided my words and directions as a kids. She just had a heart of Gold. I loved her. She was the best aunt. She spoiled me and was always encouraging to me. There was nothing I couldn't do with her support surrounding me. Growing up I wanted to be like her, like the way she treated people, they all loved her.
5. Lastly, is my Grandmother- Odelle Lewis-Brooks. She was the matriarch of the family. She taught all her children and grandkids the importance and reverence of God in our lives. She named me, so we kinda had a special bond. I really am very grateful for the relationship I had with this woman. She would chastise me but in a loving and understanding way. She always had a way about her that you would do anything for her. When my father died, she really did become the tie that held my sister and I to that part of our family. She always made sure we ate and never went hungry. I remember one time, when we came to visit from California and she sent over a HUGE pot of spaghetti to where we were eating. She just was so loving, thoughtful and selfless. She would answer my questions, no matter how crazy they were; and as a kid I asked a lot of question, LOL. She gave us unconditional love. She led by example in all she did for us and to us.
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