`
From Porsche to the Autobahn…
“In Germany we counted Porsches as we traveled the Autobahn, because Uncle “Chop” loved Porsches.” Tif Uncle “Chop” Was My Godfather
ve for AUTHENTIC schnitzel, gummy bears, & German soda! My dislike for pizza made in Italy but LOVE for handmade pasta and paella! The Leaning Tower of Pisa really does lean! The tulip will ALWAYS be my favorite flower. My appreciation of sculpture from visiting the Masters in Italy. Many people look back to their childhood and find many defining moments or experiences that shape their adult lives good and bad. I suppose, I am no exception to that. L ng before there was “It takes a village”, black mothers and fathers created support systems ut of need. During the civil rights era, mothers and fathers struggled to attend college, raise families and worked to create equity and equality in the workplace. For them, alliances in fraternities, sororities, professional and social organizations created alliances that went far beyond membership dues. These relationships created extended families and support systems that enabled overtime, side jobs, hustles and protection for their children and communities. Learning firsthand how our armed forces live and their conditions on bases in other countries. Appreciating the relationships formed and the closeness of families in these situations. Learning my first curse word in another language….. Uncle Chop’s love for his command and the people under him. At the time he was developing a basketball league so that those under him would have an outlet for the various distractions presented by living in Germany at the time. He was proud of this league and his love of basketball was very much a part of his core. My Aunt Thelma’s love for antiques and eye for them. Her sewing, refinishing and upholstery talents and ability to create something from nothing. Sean’s sense of humor and kindness. Stephen’s love for unusual and unique head-gear and questions. Around fifth grade, my parents moved to Maryland from DC and my parents asked me if I wanted to go to Germany; my godparents were stationed there for a time. The request was for the summer and my parents thought the opportunity would be good for me. At that time, I’d traveled on vacations with my parents, to summer camps for a few weeks, but never been on an airplane and the thought of the flight terrified me. Well, I checked in with my friends who’d flown before and after they shared their insight (which consisted of awesome flight attendants and in-flight movies…) I thought I could handle it. No one prepared me for the army transport flight which had flight att ndants but nothing near an inflight movie. Bummer… Sharon’s independence and bravery in what were situations so alien for me. The way my godparents cared for me and loved me as if I were their own. The way these things shaped me enabled me to: Keep an open mind as I grew up to cultures non-American and otherwise. One of the alliances in our family was the practice of “God” mothers and fathers. The intent was to ensure that if something happened to the parents, these “Godparents” would assume full responsibility for the raising of the child. The concept of selecting these couples was that they would have like or similar values, s iritual and emotional and that the child would be raised in a family who is “in s nc” if you will, with the parents parenti g style. This practice would insure that the child not be place in fo ter care and be kept close to the family in case something woul happ n to the parents. I admit that when i was explained to e or ginally, I must have bee about 4, this caused a bit of angst. I imagined all types of horrific things happening that would l av me wit out my parents w o, at the time, were my entire Open my heart to other traditions and the struggles in other cultures that mirrored mine. Open my senses to flavors, smells and tastes without bias. To try all things presented and not be afraid to embrace those things. To create and explore my creativity without censure. Laid the groundwork for my raising my own family to continue the practice of “God-parenting.” Today I remember those things and more as I think of my “God-family”. Much more than tradition, much more than a gift, much more than a single blessing. world. Additionally, my Godparents, Uncle Chop and Aunt Thelma, were in the army and traveled ll over the world. I remember asking my parents what the “army” did, and their answer did NOTHING to alleviate my concerns about being parent-less. After that, I kept CLOSE attention on where my parents and Godparents were always, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Germany to name a few. After what seemed an insurmountable long time, we finally arrived in Frankfurt, Germany and I was met by my Uncle Chopper. He met me with an amazing smile a d had a presence of “superman”. I’d always been around people of Black origin and the various languages in and around the Frankfurt irport made me a bit nervous until Uncle Chop showed up to save the day! 20 Proverbs 22: 6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
1
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker