Deborah is my mother of whom is very special to me. She should have received Mother of the Year, every single year. She is a very loving, caring, strong, beautiful, smart, classy, fun loving and vibrant woman who had a very strong influence on me and my life as a child. My mother was involved in my life in every single way possible and this enabled me to have such a wonderful childhood. I knew that my mother was always in my corner and would always be there in time of need. She was very nurturing and loving, leaving me with zero voids or feelings of loneliness. My mother always ensured that I was full of joy and happiness by studying me as a child and learning what made me feel whole. She was very good at reading me non verbally and took preventative measures to create a safe haven within my domain. In fact, my mother did the best she could to ensure that I also felt safe in all other aspects of my life, even in her absence. She did this by developing positive open relationships with my teachers, providers, coaches and other important people who had an impact on my social development. These healthy relationships enabled positive communication, resulting in social and academic success for me. She also nurtured me by showering me with unconditional love by way of having a girls day out, hugs and kisses....and holding hands etc. My mother showed me that she cared about me by her actions but also by her words, always telling me how she felt about me as her child. She successfully expressed her love both verbally and non verbally. My mother continues to have an impact on my life, as she continues to be an awesome role model with her mothering skills and now grand mothering skills...smile....In addition, I am very proud but humbled with all of her career successes and accomplishments! Upon her retirement, we opened up a childcare facility together which had a great impact on my life, as being business partners with your mother/daughter could be trying, but due to our unconditional love and loyalty to one another...it all resulted in success. My mother continues to be here for me and I still feel that she is in my corner whenever I need her... As she always says, a mother will always be a mother. I love my mother dearly...she is my hero, my friend...my confidant....and even business partner.
Gary is my father, a man of whom I am very proud to call Daddy! My father deserves to receive the award "Father of the Year...every single year. My father influenced my life as a child by always setting good examples as it pertained to his fathering, education, career and provider ship. My mother, myself and two brothers were protected, comfortable, safe and secure. My father set the tone of the home and it was strict, stern, structured and very happy. My father nurtured me by treating me like his little princess! He gave hugs, kisses and held my hand on family outings. My father showed that he cared by putting his family first, even before himself. He made sure that we were cared for in every single area of our lives. My father made me feel special by buying me princess outfits and paraphernalia and by telling me that I was his favorite little girl. He always told me that he was proud of me and that I set a good example for other little girls my age as it pertained to respect, manners and behavior. My father continues to impact my life today because he continues to set high standards for himself and everyone around him. In addition, he retired from his career "job" but he is now a contractor, still doing well and modeling great leadership skills etc. And as always... he still puts his family first, to include all of his grandchildren and new children (in laws smile) ! Our family has grown a lot since childhood....... but even still, I have remained daddy's little girl!
Gary Jr. is my brother of whom I am very proud to have as a sibling. Although he is the middle child, everyone always thought that he was the oldest. He was always very mature for his age. Gary influenced my life by always showing honesty! He always did the right thing by any means. Gary nurtured me by giving hugs and kisses and by play fighting with me and always letting me win. Gary showed that he cared for me by protecting me at school. He was proud to have me as his older sister and made sure that everyone respected me, even if they were older than him. Gary made me feel special because he always wanted to be around me.... he thought that I was a cool big sister. Gary continues to influence my life today because he is still honest by any and all means. He is very successful with his career as a Master Sargent in the Air Force, he's a great son, father, uncle, husband and brother......and he still lets me win when we have play fights...smile.
Darrell is my baby brother of whom I am also proud to have as a sibling. Although he is the baby, he was also very mature for his age. Darrell influenced my life by treating me like a little mommy. When Darrell was born, this is when I knew that I loved babies which ultimately set the stage for my future. Darrell nurtured me by wanting me to nurture him, as this made feel as though I was needed. I knew he cared about me due to his need to have me around. He made me feel special by always calling me mammy and wanting to be cuddled and loved on. He continues to have an impact on my life because he still thinks of me as his second mommy (smile). Also, like his older brother, he is very successful with his career as a Master Sargent in the Air Force, he's a great son, father, uncle, husband and brother.......and he still calls me mammy at times....smile.
Louise Derman-Sparks is a wife, mother, educator and author. As a long time human development faculty member at Pacific Oaks College, now Professor Emeritus (retired professor), she worked as an early childhood educator teacher and program director with young children and their families. She has conducted workshops and consults through the United States and the rest of the world. Ms. Derman-Sparks is the mother of two children (son and daughter), named Douglass and Holly. She has also been an activist for social justice for 40 years.
