Well, I'm getting down to the nitty gritty as the previous generation used to say:-). My latest visits to my doctors went very well. Because of large fibroids and a previous surgery, I cannot have a natural birth. So, Dr. Nugyen scheduled my C-section on my mother's birthday, January 14th 2010, without any prompting from me I might add. However, she did say my iron was a little low and placed me on yet another vitamin regimen. I am now seeing her every two weeks.
The next day I went to see my favorite physician, Dr. Chatman who performed another 3D/4D ultrasound and wouldn't you know it, our little girl looks just like her dad. I guess she calculated that she would fair better if she looked like the one who pays the bills instead of the one who housed her for 9 months...lol. Seriously, it was the most awe inspiring feeling to finally get a view of our little pumpkin. She did say that as of right now, the baby is in a breach position. My last visit to Dr. Chatman will be December 23 where she'll document her weight and final position before birth.
THE IMPORTANT ISSUE OF NAMING
At first, my husband and I were planning on naming our bundle of joy after our mothers, Thelma Yvonne and Beverly June. Then, I happened across a book called A treasury of baby names, and we begin to sort through the origins and meaning of the names and decided that we'd rather give her something unique and more meaningful to us. So, for the next few weeks, everyone who came to our home had to look through the book and write down their choice in the journal we started for her. Since I was on a Maya Angelou reading binge (I'd read over 8 of her books in a two month's span) I was set on naming her Maya. As a matter of fact, until October 11th we had been addressing her as Maya in her journal and when we talked to her. On that day; however, my brother and his wife came over to eat and as customary they had to sort through the book and pick a name. It didn't take long for my brother to spot a name that was so meaningful that my husband actually shut down the naming game and settled on my brother's choice. Ashira, which is Hebrew for wealthy was the winner. Her middle name was chosen as a result of me searching the internet for the translation of the word blessing which is, Naima. Ashira Naima Pratt will always know that she is a wealthy blessing to us every time she hears her name.ONE GENERATION PLANTS THE TREES; ANOTHER GETS THE SHADE
As a final thought, I'd like for each of you to do me a huge favor. I believe our time on earth should be meaningful and celebrated. When someone makes a mark on our lives, I don't think we should just let their memory fade into obscurity. This is what I believe is at the heart of the empathy and rebellion we're seeing in today's youth. They really don't know where they came from and the legacy of those who preceded them. They are merely living their lives based on what they see and know now, which is mostly negative and derogatory information. Don't start me to preaching, but it's high time we re-introduce the next generation to their grandparents and forefathers who fought incredible odds to allow us to get where we are today.
N.T. BURLESON
I'll never forget the day it dawned upon me, like a ton of bricks, that my entrepreneurial spirit actually originated from my maternal grandfather. N. T. Burleson, who was a real estate investor, savvy trucking business man and an intellectual made a huge impact on me during my formative years. He always warned us against wasting our money on renting houses or apartments. He'd sit up with us for hours talking about current events, money, investing and other things that were way over our heads at the time. Subconsciously, I was soaking in all of that knowledge, and in due time the seed that he planted sprang forth and I started my own business at the age of 30, bought real estate and started being more serious about life, which was one of my grandfather's favorite quotes out of many. He'd say to us kids when we were acting silly, "This thing we call life is serious business." No matter how many times I fail in any of my ventures (and I've failed quite a bit), I continue to press forward because of his example.ESTER ROGERS
My paternal grandmother, Ester Rogers possessed the strongest will in Eunice, LA. Nothing and no one got in her way. When we were growing up, you could chastise kids without any repercussions. When the next generation came along, however, everything was considered child abuse. Well, Miss Easter was going to raise her young grandchildren the same way she'd raised all her children and older grandchildren, with a firm hand. She believed strongly in discipline and order. When the Eunice police department tried to interfere with her disciplining her grandson, she actually invited them inside and told my cousin to get her strap so they could witness. They told her she wasn't allowed to whip him and she retorted, "If I'm not allowed to discipline him, then you will have to take him with you and raise him". She said, "If I don't whip him now, you will after he's grown." Needless to say they left without saying another word. I believe her strong and indomitable spirit passed on to me in ways that has kept me from becoming a statistic or product of my environment. I refused to go down the road that was presented to me as a child no matter how persuasive. I chose a different path based on what I felt was right for me. This felt normal to me after having witnessed my grandmother do what she want to do when she wanted to do it.IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I said all of that to say, could you please assist me in documenting the legacy of our parents and grandparents? There is so little I know about them because of all the brokenness we experienced as children. I would love to have printed stories about our father, mother and all our grandparents to share with Ashira. Unfortunately, she will not get to meet some of them, but perhaps reading about them will give her a strong sense of identity as she grows up and start to make her mark in the world. My address is P.O. BOX 38097, Houston, TX 77238. Could you send pictures, write down stories, events or memories that you have of:
My side of the family
Bennett Rogers ~ my paternal grandfather;
Ester Rogers ~ my paternal grandmother;
Will Rogers ~ my father;
N.T. Burleson ~ my maternal grandfather;
Thelma Burleson ~ my maternal grandmother;
Thelma Yvonne Rogers ~ my mother;
Tanya Nichole Rogers ~ Myself
Alfred's side of the family
Cecil E. Pratt ~ his paternal grandfather;
Revia Brown ~ his paternal grandmother;
Alfred Pratt Sr. ~ his father;
Robert Jones ~ his maternal grandfather;
Lessie M. Beatie ~ his maternal grandmother;
Beverly June Allen ~ his mother;
Alfred Pratt Jr. ~ Himself
Your stories will be turned into a special book for Ashira so she'll be able to read about her amazing ancestors whenever she wants. I am counting on 100% participation from everyone. PLEASE!PLEASE! PLEASE! HELP ME DO THIS!!!!!
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