Early Childhood Memoir

When I was a child I could remember some of the great times in my life. I share many memories with family, friends, and loved ones who have supported me this far. I am very fortunate to have had such a loving group people around me. Today, I am enjoying the promise of great future because of the hard work that has been instilled in me. As a child, growing up was not easy for me but I had great support to bring me through this far. Therefore, since I was a child I have been encircled with positive people who love me, have taken interest in my future, and who supported me through the good and bad times.
I am very fortunate to have an aunt who loves and cares for me. She took care of me when no one did. I have 6 siblings, two brothers and four
sisters. I am the first child, the first granddaughter, and the first niece in the family. My family’s origin is Haiti. While growing up in Fort Pierce I can recall going to Parkway Elementary. My aunt thought that Parkway Elementary was the best option for me while I was growing up. My aunt is very motivating and she has proven to be a great role model for me. When I was in school she encouraged me to work hard in school. Often, I would be sad because I lived about two hours south of my sisters and brothers but, my optimistic aunt kept me grounded. I loved watching the show Lizzie McGuire. I can remember being upset because once my favorite show came on my aunt would call me to do the dishes. I always wondered if she synchronized the time with show.
Thereafter, while I was in school I was raised knowing that my school work and homework was my responsibility. I relied mainly on my teachers for help. I was afraid to ask my aunt for help because she may interpret that as I did not listen to my teacher. I would not want to get grounded for an assumption. My biological father’s where abouts are unknown. I never met my father so I did not allow his enduring absence to cause me psychological injury. I was privileged to a great uncle who supported me and cared for me like I was his daughter. We visited Orlando twice a year, to visit my siblings and mother. I always enjoyed spending time with tender family. We enjoy going to church together sometimes. When I was ten years old it was hard on some of the Sundays because church seemed like it would never end. We were there from nine in the morning until one in the afternoon. It was the weekend but, I did not have time to play with my friends due to lengthy everlasting church sermon.
Furthermore, being a Haitian young female is not an easy task.
In the Haitian culture, young female must learn to be domesticated early. This means by age ten I learned to cook, clean, and maintain the house. We attended to a local Methodist church. We went to church as a family. I believe that the strong religious background kept our family close. I learned to respect and honor all adults not just my family members. My aunt and uncle would be considered to in working class of society. As a child I could remember September 11 being remember as a day when the Twin Towers in New York collapsed. Likewise, recall many adults talking about the economic difficulties. I could remember watching the news and a desolate family member would be saying goodbye to soldier who died in the war in
Iraq.
Finally, during the year 2007-2010 I could remember my aunt and uncle looking for two jobs to support our family.
If they found a job it was never close to home. The jobs would be hours away. And since the gas price was so high they could not accept the jobs that were so far away. Then United States elected our first black president. President Obama it was big deal. The entire city of Fort Pierce was excited especially because he came and visited the city during the campaign. I could remember all the boys in my class saying that when they grew up they wanted to be the President of the United States. This was a major event in the black community that signified the hope of growth. Consequently, although there was economic challenges at the young age of ten I was fortunate to have supportive family, who put my education first, and who supported me in my time of
need.