Childhood Web

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” -James Baldwin

Growing up each of us has had specific people that have made an impact on our lives, a footprint in the sand. It’s these people that have helped to mold us into the person, professional, mother/father, husband/wife, etc. that we are today. Here is a look into why I am the person that I am . . . and maybe for some even the people to blame for making me who I am J

Anita Baker

(Picture taken in 2003; Mom, Dad, 9 children, and some spouses)

My Mom! Raised as one of nine and having raised nine children herself, my Mom is a person of patience, love, and forgiveness! My Mom raised us attending church literally EVERY time the doors were open. I remember many nights at prayer services where I was busted sleeping head down trying to pretend but a mother always knows (the drool on my sleeve always gave it away too). Growing up, my twin and I were probably two of the world’s pickiest eaters! We could pick out diced onions out of anything and after we were told “there are no onions in that so just eat it” we would spit the onions onto a napkin to prove we knew they were there. My Mom, the Saint, began to literally make separate meals for us at dinner time. Imagine the time she spent in the kitchen preparing the same meal but per our requests. She knew how to make each of us feel special. One thing my Mom always instilled in us was forgiveness. Having so many siblings, we always had a best friend and we always had an enemy (if we chose). Whether it was a fight over whose shirt someone took or whose turn it was in the bathroom; there was always something. My Mom would always remind us to get over the small things and work on the ultimate goal. If we concentrated on the hurt, we would never be able to move on and get over it. Forgiveness is always easier than remembering the pain. When we were younger, a lot of my siblings worked a paper route together. There was always one sibling that didn't seem to do their share. They never wanted to fold the papers and stuff them into the plastic bags. We always would complain to my parents about it. My parents wanted us to work the problem out ourselves. Finally after it seemed most of us wouldn’t get over the problem; my Mom pointed out the work that the one person did while delivering the papers. They were always the person that in the rain that would run to the houses when we didn’t want to. They were also always the person that did a great job selling the paper to gain more houses on our routes. She showed us that in the work environment things were not always what they seemed and we needed to forgive in order to get on with the ultimate goal of delivering the papers, gaining more houses, and making money.

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. – Honore de Balzac

Steve Baker
Mom and Dad on their Harley's riding around town

My Daddy! My first memory of him was going with him, my other siblings, and my Mom to E.T. the movie. It was one of the first of a few dates he had with my Mom. My mom and biological father (Bob) were divorced when I was young. Raising 4 children alone was a tough job. She tells the story of them meeting as “if you want to date me you’re going to have to date my children too,” therefore we all went out. I refer to it as the test to see if he could really take it. Now we joke and say he fell in love with us kids and later fell in love with her. From previously being married, he came to the marriage with 5 children, adding in our 4 that made 9 KIDS! My Dad raised us, supplied for us, and nurtured us as if we were his own flesh. Many times he gave up luxury items for himself to purchase sporting equipment for one of the children. He grew up in the mid-west; rodeos and corn fields were a part of his comforts in life. Meeting my Mom in upstate New York was far from the belt buckle wearing way of life he knew. We moved to Virginia when I was in 2^nd grade and they have lived there since. Dad has always dreamt of a few things. One, owning a beautiful Harley Davidson and two, retiring with land to have cattle, barns, and property to see for miles. As each of the children are grown and supplying for themselves, Dad a few years ago not only purchased one Harley but also got one for my Mom. In the summers they look forward to taking long rides across country or just Sunday strolls through the hills of Virginia. He is also retiring soon and him along with my mom are finally purchasing the land that he’s wanted for so long! 32 acres complete with a pond, 3 barns, fenced in areas for the cattle, and land far enough to see for miles. I’m proud of him! He has worked hard supplying for us 9 kids, saving money to purchase his dream land, and now it’s almost here! One thing my Dad has instilled in me is a strong work ethic. Since we were young we were raised to understand how to care for ourselves. Life isn’t handed to us. Luxuries are not given to us on a silver platter. If we want something we need to work for it and in order to work for it we need to understand the meaning of work and responsibility. Having chores was a weekly assignment in our household. If we wanted to drive a car, we had to have learned on a stick shift and before we could have our license we would know how to change a flat tire, check oil levels, and tire pressures. He taught us the meaning of responsibility and how to work for what you want. I take pride in the work that I do because he has shown me to do so. If there are items you don’t understand, don’t allow humility to hold you back, always ask. And finally he made it a point to help any one of us that wanted to go to college the opportunity to do so. Him having his GED, my Mom as well, every parent wants their child to be more successful than they were. Although I paid my way through college, he helped support me financially and emotionally. I owe a lot of things to him. Without him I don’t know where life would have taken my Mom and siblings. One thing I do know, I wouldn’t be so grounded in family life if it wasn’t for him showing me what true sacrifice and responsibility is.

“If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.” - Abigail Van Buren

Janice and Judy

Growing up they have been close friends to my parents. Both divorced, raising their children as single parents, moved in with each other to help provide a better life for their own families. I grew up calling them Mommy Janice and Mommy Judy because they treated myself and siblings with the love and respect as we were theirs too. Janice and Judy would correct us when needed and celebrate victories when they occurred. Being present in every family event from birthday, graduations, to funerals; life wouldn’t be the same without them! One year, my Mom had to travel back to Iowa with my Dad during Mother’s Day. Each year at our church there was always a Mother’s Day luncheon that we attended. It was sad not going; my twin sister and I were bummed. Janice and Judy called us and invited us to stay with them over the weekend and attend the Mother’s Day luncheon with them. After all, they are our Mom’s too! We spent the weekend with them and made memories. They showed us the love of a mother! Of the many life lessons these two wonderful ladies have taught me, one of the most important things was to love each person unconditionally. It takes a village to raise a child. In our case Janice and Judy were part of our village that showed me what loving a person as blood and the effects it has made eternally.

The Wills Family
(Monica, Chris, and Ms. Patti)

Ms. Patti, Karen, Monica, and Chris lived right down the street from “The Baker Household.” Each of the children is younger than those in our house; that didn’t matter to us though. Ms. Patti owned her own flower business and I would sit at their house at times watching her make beautiful bouquets for weddings and other occasions. Something I loved more was when Ms. Pattie let me help her watch the kids when she needed help. I was only 4 or 5 years older than the youngest so it was kind of silly but the few dollars she gave me made me feel really special. When she became overwhelmed with work the day before a big wedding, she would let me come to her house and take care of everything. I would make dinner, help the children clean their rooms, and spend time with them while Ms. Patti concentrated on flowers. This was my first time someone trusted me into watching their children. Granted, Ms. Patti was there at their house while I watched them; but the fact that I was the person in charge was pretty awesome. I spent many summers hanging out at their house all day long and many school closing days due to snow building snowmen with them too. The Will’s family taught me a lot; how to encourage a child to clean, how to plan a craft for children, and even how to work together as a team to clean a kitchen after a great attempt for dinner. Ms. Patti had a way of making me feel like I was always welcome. It didn’t matter what time in the break of morning that I showed up knocking at their door; she always welcomed me. This is something that I have brought into my adult life. Whether it be always welcoming a child into my office to share about their school day or special event at home or even at home when we welcome the entire neighborhood to come play during the summer months when they’ve become bored. Welcoming children no matter the circumstance I’m involved in, may I always remember The Will’s family and the impact they’ve had on my life!

Aunt Joanne

Aunt Joanne was the first person to open my eyes to Early Childhood education in a small setting. She graduated with an education degree in New York and moved to Maryland after getting married. Aunt Joanne opened her own child care in her home that cared for infants through school age children. I remember going to her home and seeing the napping cots, First Aid procedures, and Fire Emergency routes hanging around their house. She nurtured for the children in her care as if they were her own. They embraced her daily as family. To this day, there are children that still remember her as their care taker and have fond memories with and for her. One day Aunt Joanne, her husband, and daughter took me and my twin to The Children’s Museum in Washington, D.C. This was the first time I had gone someplace with her without my parents as well as The Children’s Museum! We had so much fun going to the museum and I brought home with me the most awesome necklace made out of wax and yarn. I kept that necklace hanging in my room for many months (at least until the sun melted the wax down my wall and I was made to throw it out) She spoke to us that day about taking the children in her home care on field trips to places and the many other things she got to do with them. I could tell that Aunt Joanne LOVED working with children. She was so patient and kind to them and spoke about them with such a twinkle in her eye. It was that day that I saw how much joy a person has when working in the field they loved. I knew that no matter what I did in life I wanted to make sure that I loved what I did as much as she loves what she was doing. How awesome that it ended up being very similar in positions!