This was my mother’s favorite time of year. It was a time to celebrate with family and it was her opportunity to give her three sons the kind of Christmases she never had. In times of struggle and hardships my mother wanted us to have these moments of celebration and love of family. Our tree was always filled with gifts. Some may say we were spoiled as we got what we asked for but as a grew older and learned about my mother’s life I understood that her giving was a way not only to give us joy during Christmas but to bring back the joy of the holidays that were not as joyous for her when she was young.
I remember how my mother would decorate our apartment and set up our tree with the blinking lights. We did not have a real tree, but it didn’t make our Christmas less genuine. It was the time of year my brothers and I looked forward to. It was in those moments we grew closer as a family, and it was those moments that got us through the challenges we faced throughout the year. It was the presence of our mother that has shaped the men we have become. Trust me, it was a journey for us to get there and I can speak for myself, I took every wrong road before I realized the directions my mother gave me were the right ones. She always told me that she knew I would come around but there were times when I tested her faith. The three of us tested her each in our own way but that is another story for another time.
There was another lesson my mother taught us, and it was that even though we did not have a lot there were people out in the world who have even less than we do. She wanted us to know how important it was to give back. It is how we show how grateful we are for what we have been given. It is something that I have always remembered. I am blessed with the opportunities I have had to be successful but for me it is not about the things I have it is about using those opportunities to help others. It is about being the voice for those who have lost their voices for whatever reason. I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to make a difference.
I see the legacy and foundation my mother started in my brothers and me. It has continued into the next generations of the Redd family. My mother built a legacy of hope and the sacrifices she made are what are helping to move this family forward. I hope that I have had the lasting impact my mother has had on future generations of our family. It is hard out in this world and some of us who have been given the honor of leading have not lived up to the standards and expectations they have been entrusted with. Trust me, I have failed more often than I can count but I have been given another chance to live up to the standards set by the Queen, my mother, and I strive to do better.
I want to take this moment to say thank you to my mother and all the parents out there in the world who are just trying to get by. Stay the course. Stay strong. You are the light in the darkest corners of the room.
Have a blessed and wonderful holiday.
A special Thank you to my brother Tracy for taking such great care of Pop. Ma is looking down with a smile on her face. You are a blessing.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 