September for me is a month of celebration and a month of sadness and remembrance. I celebrate the birthday of the person who gave me life and was my first mentor, my mother Phyllis. I celebrate the birthday of my oldest daughter Cassandra, and I remember the life of my children’s great-grandfather Harold T. Hall. Today I want to celebrate each of them because they all were part of the important transitions in my life.
My mother is one of the strongest people I know. I have written about her many times and that is because of the impact of the lessons she taught me. It took me a while to learn those lessons, but those lessons are what I use in my life. She was my first example of what a leader is supposed to be. She was my first mentor and an example of not just a strong Black woman but a strong person. She taught us that we didn’t have to be part of the statistics. She gave me and my two brothers the tools to succeed. Because of her we are successful. Trust me I have made many mistakes, but it was through her love and commitment that I am here today.
My daughter Cassandra was my first born. Although I had a great example of how to be a parent it took me awhile to realize that I could not continue to live my life just for me. I had responsibilities and I had someone who was depending on me. I had to learn this the hard way because my life choices were interfering with my most important job and that was to be a father. Cassandra just in being there reminded me of that. She reminded me that I had to be to her like my mother was to me. She has grown to be a wonderful mother, wife, and person. I hope I was part of that growth. What I want her to know is that she made me a better father and a better person. My journey to improve myself was because I wanted to become the best example for her to follow and I hope I was able to do that.
Harold T Hall Jr died on this day back in 2020. He was the great-grandfather of my children, the grandfather to my wife and the father to my mother-in-law. He was a WW II Navy frogman and a hero. Our relationship started in 1998 just before I married his granddaughter. It was a rocky relationship and became even more challenging because we were both two stubborn men who had our own values and beliefs that interfered with us building a relationship. What I learned from this was someone had to be the first to reach his hand out and call a truce. I learned that it had to be me and when I did it opened up a relationship that I value to this day. What I learned from him is to never give up. During WW II as a frogman, he floated on an inflatable mattress with just flippers and a knife into enemy fire. It was hard to complain to him about my troubles when that was his experience. At ninety years old he drove from Cape Cod to the state of Utah alone. Again, it was hard to complain. When I hit roadblocks in my life, I think of him, and I push forward. I want to thank him for that gift.
I want to say thank you to the three of you for all you have given me. My life has been blessed because you all are part of it.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 