My Dearest Madea,

The Strongest Woman I Know. What a blessing to have been a part of your life all those years. Of all the angels God could have sent he knew you were the best person for the job. Some time has passed since I last laid eyes on your beautiful face, but your image is just as vivid in my mind as the last time I saw you. Your smile as bright as the sun while you visibly chew gum. We lived too far south to even be considered proper but “Hey Honey” you exclaimed, how you doing? Very well Madea, how you doing? I’m fine fine. I’m so glad to see you! Yes ma’am I’m glad to see you also. Your eyes twinkled like the stars, I miss you! I miss you too Madea. I don’t think I wrote to you while you were here. Probably because you were always just a phone call away. I still have your number in my phone. Oh, before I forget please ask Aunt Betty to read this for you. Hello Auntie, it’s been a long time. Thanks for reading my letter to Madea. I Love You!

 

“What do you know you’re just a child” was the saying. “It’ll all make sense when you get older” is the other one. It did! I found a Federal Census from 1930 when you were 1 year old. It appears you were born on a Plantation. I can only imagine how hard life was for you growing up then. What’s crazy is that as hard as life was for us you couldn’t tell by your attitude. I believe this is the first sign of your Strength. I didn’t recognize it then, but I know now. Never mind the army of kids you gave life, grandkids, great grandkids and so on you helped raise. All with a great attitude, resilience and unconditional love. I never heard an excuse or complaint. You just did what had to be done. I’m better off because of you, in fact we ALL are. Thank you for leading the way and being the example. “That’s what family is for,” does not do your sacrifices justice. 

 

Tough love. Just know the rod will not be spared. It’s best you find your way home before the street lights come on. Do as you’re told. Listen when grown folks talking. Do not, I repeat DO NOT come back from that tree with a switch unworthy of the a** whipping you are about to receive. Oh, I dare you to run. If she can’t catch you someone else can and will, or with perfect aim she’ll hit you right in the head with the broom. There are consequences for behaving bad. A life lesson that has kept me out of trouble till this day.

 

There’s no ending to this story but if I could say one last thing it’ll be about your Faith. Faith just happens to be an attitude and we’re right back where we started. For someone who couldn’t read, you sure knew that Bible front to back. I remember reading to you while you recited every word along with me. 

 

I can only imagine how many times the entire Bible was read to you. You couldn’t write, but those letters sure got written. You couldn’t drive but, NEVER missed a single day of church in your Sunday’s Best hat included. When it was physically impossible to make it the Pastor and his wife came to you. Your faith enabled action. When God called you home I asked my mom for the one thing I knew you held closest, your Bible. Here’s a scripture I’d like you to recite along with me. I Love You Madea.

 

2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

 

The Strongest Women I Know in no particular order… Mentions are not limitations. Non mentions are not exclusionary. Your contributions are greater than you’ll ever know. I see aspects of Madea in you all. Thank you for your love for being there. Edna R. Clifton ( Mom ) I’m officially changing your name back to what it’s supposed to be. You’re welcome! The best you had is what you gave. What more could one ask for. “I’m on my own with five kids and left to raise them by myself.” Job well done. Thank you for taking care of Madea when she needed you most. Aunt Betty, I have a feeling you did what you loved. Aunt Kathleen welcomed me to Texas. Aunt Bobbie the educator and disciplinarian. Aunt Mary, I always saw you as the leader of the family. Aunt Amanda and Aunt Mildred kept the family together. Aunt Sherry knows how to lighten the mood. Aunt Brenda, who in hindsight was my first friend. Aunt Rosetta, Aunt Lillie Jean, Aunt Shirley, Aunt Dorothy and Aunt Debbie. To my Aunt Lisa, I still don’t like vegetables ( smile ) but lesson learned. Cousin Angie, you welcomed us to Austin with open arms. Cousin Cynthia and Madeline. To my grandma Annyce Campbell, I wish we’d gotten to know each other sooner. I am grateful for the time we did share. Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Stringer and Mrs. Micou, who are all my aunties, thanks for acknowledging me. To the women of Mound Bayou, far too many to name. Relatedness refers to a sense of being connected to others, caring for them, and also feeling cared for. Our veins may not carry the same blood; nonetheless we are family. 

This is Strength of A Woman
“Where Her Soul Is Felt, Her Voice Is Heard,
And Her Power Reigns.”

 

 

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