Then and Now
When I Was Younger…I resented the fact that my parents were so strict and overprotective. I swear they used to say “no” to everything! Well, at least it felt like it.
Now…
I am grateful that they taught me self control, the value of hard work, manners, and just basic common sense. I realize that they were only trying to protect me. I am trying to do the same for my daughters.
When I Was Younger…
I hated being the tallest girl in the class. I felt like a tree with my long arms and my jheri curl (hey it was the 80’s and everybody had one!). It was awkward, especially standing next to boys who were shorter than me. Clothes were either too baggy or not long enough. It sucked!
Now…
I love my height! Plus I got to stroll down the runway a few times. So I really can’t complain. Nowadays, there’s not a pair of heels that I won’t wear! Can you believe my baby sister (Ronique) is taller than me??? And thank God for GAP long and lean jeans (and all the other retailers who made gear in long and extra long!).
When I Was Younger…
I was embarrassed at the fact that my family was African. Having my friends call and hear my parents’ accent was the worst! And I wouldn’t dare wear my African clothes in public! I couldn’t bare the jokes. I think I got called every name in the book (african booty scratcher, etc, etc).
(Then the 90’s came along and everybody and their mama got afrocentric. Being African wasn’t so bad anymore.)
Now…
I know who I am. I appreciate the heritage and traditions my mom and dad passed on to me. I know exactly where I’m from. I’ve been to Ghana and visited the villages and towns where my parents grew up. In Ghana, I experienced a peace I’ve never known. I still have a lot of family there. I NEED to go there again. Plus where else can you get your hair braided for $15???????? Say what!!!!
When I Was Younger…
It sucked to have to drag my little sisters (Anecy and Ronique) with me everywhere I went. My mom made me take them everywhere. I wished I was an only child so I could have my freedom.
Now…
It’s not fun going anywhere without them. It’s crazy how we’re so close now. Thanks mama – I guess you were right.
I am grateful for all the hard times, ridicule, constraints, and discomforts that I've experienced. I realized now that it all happened to shape me into who I am today - not that I've achieved everything but I am a work-in-progress.
posted by SandyBaby @ Tuesday, November 14, 2006
13 Comments:
Awww see SANDY, don't it feel good to just appreciate what you got! Momma definitely knows best! LOL@ urbody wanted ta be afrocentric in the 90s..RIGHT! Awww, what a nice post!
Great blog ! LOL...I got called an african booty scratcher and i'm JAMAICAN !
I love looking back on my childhood; analyzing how I was raised, my experiences and how they helped to shape the adult I have become.
Aw! This was worth the little wait. The sweetest blog! Not everybody comes to appreciate their lives and see everything they have to be grateful for, but you have. The part about your heritage was sooo endearing!
But um...NYM wasn't rockin no jheri curls! NEVA!
this is sweet! why did i go see michael blackson (comedian) and he referred to African booty scratcher, I was dead laughing, I never heard that.. People were too busy talking about Jamaicans coming off the boat. Thank God you have culture and pride.
BF :-)
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww this was so sweet Sandy!!! I hated being tall too...well sometimes I still am urked by it cause men seem to be so short...we need more balance. But like you my height has been a blessing in a number of ways. And of course my parents were right as well...my sister and brother are 8 and 12 years younger then me and I hated it when they came but now I wouldn't trade them in for the world. God blessed me when he gave them to me as siblings!!!
This was a great post...the things we complain about will eventually all work out for our Good!!!
@ Mo - Remember when everybody was wearing medallion with Africa on it and kente cloth???? Girl I was thrown for a loop! Self love was a hard lesson for me to learn.
@ Anon - I agree. Looking back, I did have a great childhood. Growing up in the 80s was fun. Kids these days got too much to deal with. I feel like Gen X is the last age of innocence.
@ MrsNYM - I have gotten rid of all the pics with me and my jheri curl! However, I have recently received threats from family members who refuse to remove those TERRIBLE pics from their photo albums. I am plotting to get them back!
@BF - Michael Blackson is off the chain!!!!! Wasn't he at Howard's homecoming or something?????
@ Roycee - We just have way too much in common! Special shout out to the honies over 5'7!!!!!!
If only we could see our lives through God's eyes... uh uh uh
When I was younger... I used to try to tone down my intellect so others would accept me
Now... I'm a proud nerd LOL
Oh I love this post!!!!
Afican booty scratcher Huh Holding my head down in shame. I would have been on of those terrible kids teasing you about your height and heritage..I was baaaaad..lol
Look at mrsnotyourmommy...uh huh I see you! LOL! I obviously haven't been checking my favorite blogs for awhile. Anyway, great post Sandy. I wish that I had a heritage I could look back on other than being from South Philly.
@ T. Cas - I refuse to believe you're a nerd! Not gonna!
@ Anon - Awww thanks!
@ Slishy - The drama of childhood can either make you strong or put you in therapy. Clearly, the former applies to me but I bet you are responisble for someone sitting a shrink's office right now... LOL
@ Babybear - Thanks! I bet if you dig far back enough, you'll be surprised at what you find :)
Girl, I can totally relate to the rude and mean remarks; I came striaght from Ghana, was darkskinned and had an accent...kai, triple whammy. Follish questions like, "Did you live in a tree?" "Do they have cars in Africa?" "Do you play with lions?" Oh my goodness, I went to a private school and was driven in an air conditioned car yet I was African Booty Scratcher in this country. WHOA!
I gave it back to them though. I told them that instead of making fun of me, they should try to figure out where they are really from and that at least I knew where I was from though. Then I was called stuck up. Then we all became cool in high school when it was cool to be Afrocentric. I now know that it was due to fear of the unknown. Oh hwo, too much wahala but it made me stronger and helped develop my big mouth; I learned that it did not pay to be shy. In fact, I think I will address this in my blog.
Great blog.
This is my first time dropping by, and I liked this post. Hindsight is 20/20, and you obviously see things quite clearly.
I'll check out your me-me's because I shall surely steal a couple.
BTW, I envy you tall people. I wanted to be 5'6", but God saw that I was perfect at 5'4".
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