My father is my hero. Every since I can remember, we have argued concepts and beliefs. And though I would never tell him he’s mostly always right, he is the smartest man I know. My father is a well educated man. Bachelor’s Degree from Jackson State University (then Jackson College) and a Master’s Degree in Education from Indiana University (because Negro’s couldn’t go to most universities in the South in the 50’s) with subsequent doctoral studies in the field of Education. He was the first, and still only, Black Assistant Superintendent in George County, Mississippi where I grew up. But…at the end of the day, my father is a country farmer. He grew up on a small farm in rural Jones County, Mississippi. Joined the Army in 1944, and used the GI Bill to educate himself, finishing his degree at Jackson State College in three years in 1949. He did his Masters at Indiana University, because in those days, he was not allowed to study at Ole Miss or Mississippi State. He is a historian, loves to read and talk about history and current events. He is a BIG talker! Over the years, my father poured into me SO MUCH wisdom! He encouraged, no demanded, that I be the best I could be. Anything less than perfect was unacceptable. All A’s or nothing! He wrote me letters in college, encouraging me to be the best. He assured me that I could do and be anything I wanted to with desire and hard work. My father poured into me all of the necessary tools to be successful. A good family home environment, religious foundation, education. My father was always present in my life. He took me to church, was present in everything I did at school, supported all of my extracurricular activities, was always home for dinner. One of the seeds that both my parents planted in my life that has shaped who I am today and that is the responsibility of service. My father has always taught me to treat all people well. Even though he always told me basically that I was the best thing since sliced bread, to never treat people like I was better than them. He taught me that I had a responsibility to give back. I guess since I was the only girl and the youngest, he was always telling me “Don’t be selfish!” Even with my garden, he constantly reminds me, “don’t be selfish, share your vegetables with other, you can’t eat it all!”. My father planted many seeds in my life, watered and nurtured them and he continues to do so.
#IAmMyFathersGarden