Editorials
More than Just another Audrey
Quill Wordsmith
wordsmith@excapethematrix.com
“All I know is what I know, and that’s all I know.” These
are the words of a woman that is more than just special to
me. More than just someone that brought me into the world.
But a woman of faith. I call her a woman of faith not just
because she prays for me or because she has an obvious
relationship with her God. I call her a woman of faith
because for the past 25 years, that’s the only thing she’s
been operating under: FAITH.
From wrapping boxes of cereal to pose as Christmas gifts,
to toaster ovens and grilled cheese sandwiches, late nights
braiding hair in the kitchen to make ends meet, and even
three to a bed when space was limited…. I know that I’ve
definitely lived a happy life. She made sure of that. I
didn’t know that the power being off was a fault or issue.
I didn’t know that moving in with my great-grandmother was
because of a financial burden. I didn’t realize that being
adopted by a non-profit organization for the holidays was
because we were “less fortunate”. As far as I was concerned,
beans and ground beef with some grape kool-aid was the
topping on a good day.
It was her faith that had her obtain three different cars in
a 5 year period and that learned her and her children how
NOT to take “no” for an answer. And she identifies how to
listen. Do you understand? She identifies how to listen.
During those late nights when I was up later than everyone
else along with her, it was during these times when we’d
talk.
We’d share heart to heart, soul to soul memories. She’d
tell me about how she wasn’t sure how this would get paid
and I told her I didn’t know how I’d go from a 1.7 to a 3.0
GPA before the end of the quarter.She’d tell me about what
we’d do after church on Sunday and I’d share with her my
latest composition.
We’d share - - and if I was an insomniac, she knew that it
most likely was a matter of the mind, a matter of the heart,
or a matter of faith. I must admit, I’ve developed a great
sense of pride that can, at times, be harmful for my growth.
However I realize that it comes from observing this woman
and seeing how taking no for an answer is sometimes terribly
unnecessary.
And she smiles. “All I know is what I know, and that’s all
I know.” She said this one day and we tried to tell her how
that didn’t make any sense. (…Especially when trying to
incorporate that into a reprimand to a set of preteens and
young adults.) But I realize now that it’s completely
accurate and okay. It’s okay to laugh in the midst of
turmoil. It’s okay to smile and mean it, during times of
question. It’s perfectly fine to familiarize yourself with
less than. It’s these things that will turn growing pains
into some of the greatest success stories that even mass
media and biographical researchers couldn’t tap into.
I honestly believe that she’s one of them. My mother,
Audrey Stokes. I say this because I’m a living reflection
of her, her lessons, her teachings, her life, her story…
more than just another Audrey, but the perfect example of
faith – personified.