Da 'umball tays da grace

It's been over two decades since my grandmother has left this earth. I paid homage to her by using her name as my daughter's middle name. I learned a lot of wisdom, humor and love from my grandmother. Now that was my ride or die until my summer year going into my junior year in high school. It's been that long, but I can still hear her heavy Geechee accent. One of her favorite sayings was, " da umball child tays da grace." Translated into English, "The humble child tastes the grace."

Now this colloquialism isnt hard to understand at all. I'm quite sure you have heard it many of times. If you're humble you will receive blessings. Hence tasting the grace. My friends I can tell you that grace and its friend mercy are always good to have around.

Even with my migraines and the 1 million, nine hundred thousand and twenty items on my mind, I had to get myself right for Kailee's school orientation today. I ironed her khakis with that heavy duty Niagra starch. She said she didn't want any creases. She's far from old school, because you know we would have had a crease so sharp it could have cut butter. I told her if she wanted to, I would add some extra curls to her hair. She declined.

Last night she took her time putting in her flexi rods, using certain sizes to get that look. I laid on the couch until the last moment to get ready. I took a migraine pill and filled my bootleg Yeti cup-- the Aladdin with ice, water and a fresh slice of ginger. I figured if I got sleepy during orientation, I would have 30 ounces of water to keep me up because of going to the bathroom. I packed her bags of schools supplies they wanted everyone to bring. Hand sanitizer, wipes, gloves, dry erase markers and Kleenex tissues. I called Kailee downstairs.

She looked different than she did yesterday. I bought her some costume jewelery while in Kohls. It was $5. It was a pair of cubic zirconia studs with a necklace with a "K" initial. Her first words were, "Thank you mom for the gift." I said, "You're welcome. Do you need help putting it on?" At first she declined, but later asked for assistance. When we got outside, I told her I have to take a picture of you. She humbly obliged.

It was mandatory for orientation that she wore her school uniform. She has to wear navy blue polos and khakis. Out of all the pictures I took of her I can see her maturity and independence present. We got to the school, she went in line to take her school pictures by herself. As we circulated the many stations, she struck up a conversation with everyone. When she meet her school administrator, she gave her a firm grip, introduced herself and said, "I aspire to become the class valedictorian." The administrator gave her a high five and had a conversation with her as I was signing her up for various activities.

When we got to another station, the principal looked at my baby's name and pronounced it incorrectly. You have to understand, my kid has been correcting people since she has been able to talk who says her name incorrectly. The funny thing is she still makes the same facial expressions and nods her head as if she is breaking down syllables as I taught her back then. She wasn't rude about the correction, but she got her point across and was able to get a laugh out of the situation. 

The administrator came up behind her, placed her arms on her introduced her to the principal and said, "Kailee said she is going to be the valedictorian of her class." Everyone encouraged her and gave her praises.

As we progressed in the line, I was prepared to pay $140 in fees. Yeah...high school is different. Only to be charged $40 for PE uniforms and a locker fee. The $100 was waived. #butGod. We finally got to the end of the stations to get her schedule. It dawned on me that I have a high schooler. Kailee had a biomedical class that we requested to be changed to Pre-Engineering. We had to make some changes to classes because of transfer credits. When we were finally done, we went outside and she chatted with her BFFs from middle school. What was so crazy is originally only one of them got in and now they are all attending the same high school. My daughter has been attending school with one of BFFs since first grade.

I asked Kailee last week if she wanted me to walk her into school on the first day, she said, "No. Not unless you want to mom." I smirked but felt some kind of way. But I couldn't. My kid will be 15 this year. In November, it will be 15 years that I delivered a baby girl that wasn't supposed to be here. The doctor told me that it would be hard for me to have children. That's what he said. Not that I was trying. But he said that to let me know in advance. Months later my deceased grandmother brought me a baby girl on my dreams. That baby girl on my dream looked exactly how Kailee Rebecca looked when she entered this earth on November 16, 2002 at 1:12 pm. 

I sent my baby's picture out to a few of my friends. One of the responses was
"Yes mam, always got her lifted in prayers from the enemy. Bless year even the more for her." My advice to you is, if you don't have praying, encouraging friends you don't have a friend.

As much as life has attempted to get the best of me, my eyes has always been in the prize. To be the best mother that I can be.  While using what I was taught. I can say that I have been blessed beyond measure by being humble. I raise my daughter to respectful, appreciative and 'umball. She's not into all the designer stuff. As a matter of fact, yesterday I bought her 4 pairs of sneakers from Burlington Coat factory for $120. All old school sneakers. Her first words was "thank you mom, but you don't have to get me all those shoes." When she was selecting her shoes, the first thing she looked at was the prices. I think she has this ball on budget thing down packed.

I know that the prayers of my ancestors have been answered. I pray that my child continues to assimilate what I teach her as well as I live a life that she can emulate for my grandchildren. I pray that I remain humble.

I send positive vibes and fervent prayers to the teachers, students, administrators for the upcoming school year.