The Importance of Being Earnest(ine)

I have written before about the many wonderful people who helped raise me growing up in Lee County and how grateful I am to them for where I sit today.  I think now that I am older (and wiser?), I can appreciate more how fortunate I really was to be embraced and raised by an entire community--and trust me, Jonesville is one of those places where everybody knows everybody and everybody is in your business.  I can remember running across the street when I was a young child and by the time I got back to my Dad's office, someone had already called my Mother to report me running out without looking (and if you know me today, you know that I still do this, purposefully, unless Teddy is with me, because I just believe people will stop and let me cross).  One person that has been instrumental in that role for me is my Godmother, Ernestine Wright.  It's hard to describe all the things that Ernestine is but here is a brief summary--initially, she was my Mother's student at Flatwoods, became my Mother's best friend, then my Godmother.  She imparted her love of life, her jubilant laughter and her abhorrence for bad table manners and loud chewing to me.  (Along with growing up with Monica, playing with Miranda like she was our doll and babying Warren was also just part of the fun!)  Her strength and determination to fight breast cancer has inspired me and countless others.  I have learned so much by being part of her life and I am so grateful for all the gifts she has given me over the years. 

I can only hope to give Teddy the same kind of circle of people to raise him.  It's so true that it take a village to raise a child and I am still trying to piece together that village.  I am so grateful to my village--they truly made me, for better or worse, the person I am today.  Ernestine was instrumental in all of and I truly appreciate her, both as my Godmother, second mother and, now, friend. Uncle Bobby, Ernestine, and countless others in Jonesville, Alexandria, Dallas and New York City are part of that fabric. 

With love and gratitude to all.....