Barbara Ann Sledge,
My mother was one unique individual.
There are times when I hear can
still hear a story about my mother and still find it hard to be true. She
was one of those sweet, caring, fun, determine, focused, and maybe even a
little unreasonable at times. I am sure every person in this room
remembers some event that took place where my mom was both heroine and villain
at the same time. You know what I mean greeting you at 5:30p.m and kicking you
out by 7:30p.m. Nor did she bite her tongue. She said whatever it was that was
on her mind. One of her favorite saying, I pay to cost to be the boss. Then the
one we all know all too well, "Do you have my Money; you better have it
soon I ain't rich?"
She always wanted to throw those big
birthdays, barbeques, and holiday dinners that we just had to have. She just
needed someone to go to the store buy a few things such as the food, drinks,
and paper plates. Then invite everybody and, no they didn’t need to bring
anything she always had it covered, and came up short. So she sent someone else
to the store. In the end it always turned out to be too much food and her
cooking for hours. I believe that was one of her greatest past-time. Nobody can
forget her homemade Mac -n Cheese, Hot Water Cornbread, Lasagna, Greens, Cubed Steak or anything
else that she wanted to cook.
My mother taught me a lot growing
up. Some positive and other things not so positive. I know she taught me how to
get the most out of a buffet dinner serving all you can eat and take home
shrimp. She taught me how to stand up for myself and most important she taught
me how to hold my head up high and how to be a strong-willed confidant
man.
I also believe that my mom was one of the strongest
people that I’ve. When she determine to
do something watch-out whoever was in her way. The last time Teresa did her
hair she told her that she was going to come home to cook for her baby-boy.
That is the type of person my mother truly was. She would try to help someone
although she was hurting herself. So it was hard watching her during her last
months, but it will always be memorable. It was uplifting to see her relaxed
and not in pain. I tried my best to graduate before she passed unfortunately
that did not happen. However, I will graduate before the end of this year and I
know that her and Jana will be there. As I hope some of you will be as well,
which takes place around Oct. in Phoenix, Az. I missed this graduation in June
out here.
