1.) Antwanetta Vinson
2.) Dianne Hankerson
3.) William and Katie Wynn
4.) Charisse Averett
5.) Bryant Sims
Introducing the people who helped shaped me into who I am today!
Antwanetta Vinson is a hard working woman who raised four children and had four children by the Age of 26. She had her first child at 15, her second at 19, her third at 20, and fourth at the age of 26. Antwanetta did not let having four children stop her from achieving her dreams, which was to become a respiratory therapist. At the age of 32, Antwanetta received her Associate Degree from Tidewater Community College and is now a Respiratory Therapist working at the Naval Hospital. Antwanetta influenced and shaped me into what I am today by telling me to receive my education first before having children and that I can be anything I want to be in life. She nurtured me by teaching me right from wrong, providing me with the necessities I need rather than want, and by making me work hard for the things I want in life. This person, Antwanetta Vinson is my MOM.
Dianne Hankerson is a great woman who helped make me the woman I am today. She was a no non sense woman and did not believe in disrespect. She works as a Administrative Assistant in a local Breast Center and loves being around family. Dianne helped raised me since my mother gave birth to me at the age of 15. Without her, I do not think I would be here today. Dianne had influenced me, by leading as an example in my life. She taught me to provide for myself so you will never have to depend on a man. Dianne made me feel special by her actions and love that she provided me with everyday. Dianne Hankerson is my GRANDMOTHER.
William and Katie Wynn where do I begin with these two individuals. To start off, they were the greatest grandparents a person could ever ask for. My great grandparents kept me until I started elementary school to make sure my mother graduated from high school. My great grandparents disciplined me often, but also was so compassionate when it came to me. Many people would call it being SPOILED, but I call it being loved. My great grandparents were my inspiration and showed me how to love people. I will never forget my grandparents cooking for me, helping me with homework, and watching me for over four years while my mother finished school.
Charisse Averett is my heart and my Aunt. When I was having trouble with my mother's husband, my aunt came up from Georgia and raised me until I was 18. That had to be the greatest gift she could have ever done for me. My aunt taught me to strive for high achievements and nothing less. She made sure I brought nothing home less than a B and if I did, she would make sure that I brought it up. My aunt influenced me and told me to be the best me I can be and never let anyone tell me that I can't be what I want to be in life.
Brian Sims is my dad. You all may wonder why I chose a person who was never involved in my life and this is why. Due to Bryant's absence in my life, it made me strive even harder to be successful to prove to him that I did it without him in my life. Every girl want the love of her father, but not many are blessed with that option. Bryant humiliated me numerous times as a child in front of people by telling me that I was not his child. After that day, I left him alone for good. He influenced me by being absent in my life, which made me want to become a successful and blessed woman that I am today.
My Grandmother Dianne, Mom Antwanetta, and myself at my mom 40th Birthday Party.
The greatest great grandparents in the entire world, William and Katie Wynn
My mom and I at my college graduated on May 4, 2013 from Norfolk State University Summa Cum Laude
My heart, my grandmother Dianne
This is just beautiful! I admire you so much for striving for success despite adversity that you and your mother faced. You are obviously a strong woman and young children will be blessed to have you in their lives! We all bring different experiences to the table, but yours will be most valuable. So often people use stumbling blocks in their childhood as reasons not to succeed. But you can be an example of how with a strong support system anything is possible.
ReplyDeleteYour story is really inspiring. You did not let the difficulties that you faced deter you from growing and prospering into a beautiful woman. I love the love you have for your support network. My mom and grandparents were a major part of my support system too. Keep working towards your goals and use your story as a source of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteTruly inspiring! Funny I would have never thought to add my father to my web, but as I read your post and what you wrote about your father, I guess I should have. I had my first child at the age of 14 and while my father was not active in my life, my mother felt the need to inform him of my situation...his response was that he knew I would never amount to anything, while I was always striving to be better, after that moment I decided to prove him wrong. So here we are you and I ...these men, while they were not part of our lives, are one of the people who pushed us forward. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete~Jessica
Hello Ashley
ReplyDeleteI commend you for being the blessed successful woman you are today. You have a beautiful and inspiring support network. I never had grandparents they were all deceased before we were born so that is a blessing for you. I am very proud of you for being strong and determine to push forward with your goals. Keep striving higher and higher because there is no end. Family is so important again I am proud of you. One thing I have learned in life it feels so good to know that you have people to love you no matter what.
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI was very please with your Childhood Web. It was also pleasing to get to know about the people that were a part of your childhood support system. It is amazing how we do not really realize how important these individuals that make up our support network are to us until later in our lives.
Neketha
It really touched me what you said about your great grand parents showing you what love was and how to love. As a teacher, I see so many children exposed to hostle relationships that their parents have. Even though it may only be minor differences, we forget that the picture of love we present to our childen is one they will use to create love in their life. Its so special that you got to see a positive picture and even though that might look different to everyone individually, it feels good to know that their good models of those relationships out there.
ReplyDelete