A Phone of My Own

I remember when I got my first phone. It was one of the happiest days of my young life.

My phone was a Motorola Razor. Having it meant that I could talk to people without using my brother's cheap device. My dark blue Motorola Razor was, to me, the best phone ever! Other people had "slide up" phones, because that's what was in back then. But mine could flip up, and I could lock applications. This was good enough for me.

I could talk to whomever I wanted without bothering my brother and having to ask him to borrow his. He would always get mad, and sometimes he wouldn't let me use it at all.

Another thing I loved about my phone was that my bill was so affordable that it didn't make any sense. I had unlimited talk time, texting and internet. My cell phone company was a real blessing!

Even though I have a different cell phone company now, I'll never forget my first Motorola phone.

(Mariya Cummings, 9th Grade)

Memorable Date

My favorite memory is from when I was sixteen. This was in late 2010. My friend and I went to the Cedar Grove versus McNair football game, and I met my special "boo" there. We sat and talked the ENTIRE game. When the game was over, we went to the gas station and got some soda. Then my best friend's mom came and got me to take me home. This day will forever be in my mind.

(M. Cannon, 11th Grade)

My Grandfather

A person who remains important to me is my grandfather. He is important to me because he is a strong role model, a father figure and an all-around decent person.

Grandpa is a role model because he sets goals and does his best to accomplish them. Even though he may have been let down, he still somehow finds a way to keep his head up and keep going. He has a fierce presence when he takes charge and doesn't let anyone get in the way. One day, I aspire to be like him.

My grandfather is also a father figure to me because my biological father wasn't really in my life. Grandpa takes the time to treat me as his own. He lets me know the truth about the world which I feel gives me a broader outlook on life.

I consider my grandfather to be a father figure because he is the only one there for me, male wise. Also, he teaches me not to have any harsh feelings toward my father and to respect him because I can never change the fact that my father helped bring me into this world.

Grandpa is an all-around decent person because he is courteous and always, as he says, seems to "kill people with kindness."

(Mykia Robbins, 9th Grade)

Visiting My Grandmother in California

The first time I saw my grandmother, I didn't recognize her because I'd only seen pictures that had been taken years before. She looked very different but was still beautiful. I tried to see the resemblance between us. Even though I eventually came to the conclusion that we don't look anything alike, I know that she's still my grandmother.

When she took me to her apartment, I really had to adjust to how she lived. I stayed a month and had to go to all the meetings and go out in service whenever her group went, which was about three times a week. We had fun sight seeing and meeting up with family I've never seen before. One of these people was my awesome cousin Katarina. She's about 5'2" and has an olive skin color and long, light brown hair. My cousin Katarina is part German and Filipino. My cousin and I had a lot of fun together. Before Grandma and I would go to sleep, we would hold hands, pray and talk about the day.

"Tati, do good and above all things remember that God is watching you." Those were the last inspiring words I heard before I got on the plane and left my grandmother in San Francisco. She is great and extremely intelligent. I always enjoy seeing my grandmother almost every year and always enjoy seeing her.

(Tatiana Wright, 9th Grade)

Memorable Trips

I remember when I went to North Carolina for the first time. I was going there to meet my dad's family. I was just a little kid-- maybe three or four years old. The experience and thought were surreal. I had never been out of the state of Georgia, and it was really exciting just to go to another place. The ride was amazing and the view was even better. Getting away and seeing something new is one thing I will always remember.

I will also always remember my first trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. It is important because that was my first time, and I was so young when I went. I remember seeing so many great things that when it was time to go, I just wanted to stay. I will always remember this because I have not gone on a trip this special. It is such a good childhood memory. I will also always remember that trip because who knows when I will get to go again?

(Sarah Simpson, 9th Grade)

Passing On the Love

I remember a time when I was very ill, and I didn't have anyone to depend on except my mother. Her care reminded me that she is always there when I need her which is different from some other parents who ignore their children's needs and let the world raise them. My mother is always sacrificing in some way so that she can make sure that I am o.k.

I respect my mother's bountiful love in a way you couldn't imagine. I adore her so much in virtue of her effort of taking care of her only son.

I've heard great things about my grandmother Ruby and how she took care of her kids, how she worked hard and lived up to her responsibilities. I think my grandmother Ruby instilled the same work ethic and nurturing instinct in my mother. I can see it clearly in my mother. I hope my future wife will have this same determination, because I want the same treatment for my kids so that it can be instilled in them also.

(Yasene Cummings, 11th Grade)

Sonnet for Granddad

I remember the days when I used to spend the night.

I remember those times where I was squished so tight.

I remember when we used to play around.

I remember the times I fell down.

I remember the times you made me laugh.

I remember that you kept me on the right path.

I remember you telling me you loved me.

I remember when you passed, and your soul was set free.

I remember life when you were still here.

I remember when there were tears.

I remember when they took you away.

I remember that it was a rainy day.

I remember all the good times we had.

I remember that the times were never bad.

(Kiara Parish, 11th Grade)

An Angel Named Deja

I remember one morning in February 2009 on my way to school my mother called, and she was crying. I wondered to myself, "Is she alright?" As she began to speak her voice cracked, and my heart dropped into my stomach. She blurted out, "Deja is dead." I began to laugh and asked if she was serious. She was silent for a moment. Then she said, "Yes, I'm serious. She died yesterday." The tears started to run down my face. I thought to myself, "She was only nine years old!" Seven days later was my cousin Deja's funeral and my sister's birthday. I did not go to school that day. I was not able to walk or even talk. I just sat there crying asking how God could take Deja away. I guess I will never know.

(Khadijah Sandefur, 11th Grade)

The House on Oak Street

A little house in Texarkana, 806 Oak Street to be exact, has to be the most important place on earth to me. Although it's torn down now due to abandonment, it's vivid. It will never escape my memory. My grandmother raised my older sister and me in that house for seven years until I was moved to Georgia around my seventh birthday since my mother nor father were around.

I remember separating peas from pods with my grandmother. I remember my kiddie keyboard that I used to play songs and me expecting to receive a standing ovation from her. I remember the traditional ghost stories she used to tell my sister and me about our home. I remember that couch my grandmother would sit on to watch the news while pigs' feet cooked in the crock pot.

I remember the blue chair grandma sat on during her cancer years. I remember my mother coming into my life when I was six, which was the best time considering my grandmother's condition was getting worse. I remember the little stand in the den that had a telephone and a phone book on it that I used to act like a receptor. Really, I only had one person to call, and that was my grandma in the hospital. I remember my mom leaving one day in a red car and getting a phone call from us letting her know that our grandmother had gone unconscious and that we needed her.

I love and remember my grandmother and our house on Oak Street.

(Anonymous)

I Remember Cameron's Birth

My brother Cameron was a chocolate baby with beautiful brown eyes with feet so tiny they could fit in one hand. He weighed 9 lbs. 7 oz. when he was born. I remember his first words and the first time he said my name, "Kayla." It was music to my ears. I remember his first two teeth and his new baby smell. I was five when he was born. When I first saw him in the hospital, he caught my attention and stole my heart. He was amazing to me. Greatness, intelligence, amazing, magnificent, intriguing-- these are all adjectives to describe my little brother. I love him. He gives me extra reason to smile and makes things worthwhile. He is mine, my little "shuggie bear." Greatness, intelligence, amazing, intriguing, the characteristics I remember. (Kayla Huggins, 9th Grade)

An Eye for Nature

I remember cruising on the road going somewhere when I was little. All I can remember is trees and lakes. It took us a long time, and I guess that's the reason why I can't recall where we went. Overall, it was a beautiful sight and is probably what made me want to become a photographer.

Nature is so beautiful in my opinion, and I really enjoy it. It brings joy and peace to the state of my mind. Hopefully my children and their children will enjoy it as much as I do. I would like my ancestors to know that I believe that the most beautiful thing on this earth is the eye of nature.

A year from now on March 19, 2012 I would love to be practicing photography and exploring Georgia nature. That way, I will be able to share my love of nature with others. Maybe some random person who happens to see a photo I took will develop an eye for nature.

(Brittany Ward, 9th grade)

Image credit: Bonita Cutliff's blog

Meeting My Birth Mother

I remember when I was twelve years old, and my mother told me that we had to go to court. At the time, I did not really think much of it. I thought she had to go to court for something she had done. When the next day came, we went to court and were sitting in there for hours when, eventually, a lady walked in. I noticed that I looked just like her. My mama looked at me and told me that the lady who looked like me was my birth mother. I always knew that the woman who raised me was not my birth mother. I just never knew who my birth mother was. The judge gave my birth mother visitation rights. Also, I met my little brother, Austin, who is now twelve; my two big brothers, Brandon and Marquette (Brandon is now in jail, and Marquette recently died) as well as my sister Jarvetta. When I first met my birth mother, I was hurt because I wondered how she let herself lose me and not my brothers and sister. Very shortly after we met, my birth mother died in her sleep. No one knows how. When she did, I was still hurt and did not go to the funeral. I did go to see her body. Now, I have forgiven her. I am more happy and love her more and even care about her. Sometimes I feel like a piece of my heart has been ripped way, but I know that one day we will meet again and share laughter and tears. Each day, I wish she was here. I do not hold her past against her, because I know she loved me. Donna Lynn Lewis will forever be missed. (Ashley Williams, 11th grade)

Note: Above image is not of the author's birth mother. Photo credit belongs to Guardian UK.com and was featured in a story on adoption.

A Poem for My Grandmother

I remember the mother, the mother of my mother, the one who took care of her and her brother, late night cries, lonely eyes, You baking biscuits. Oh, how I miss it. We had so many good times from '94 to '09. I can't believe that you had to die. Every morning waking up knowing you were there. We should never have taken each other for granted. Instead, we should have cherished the seeds that we planted. We should have cried a lot less and laughed a little more. Take very opportunity, not closing one door. I hate so many words were left unsaid and so many chapters of our Book of Life unread. (M. Cannon, 11th Grade) Image: "In Grandma's Hands" Keith Mallett

I Remember St. Thomas

What kind of place do you know that has beautiful nature? Do you know a place that has beaches that are beautiful, and a place with ocean water that looks clear as fresh water? I call this place St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

What I love about this place is that its very tropical. You can grow any kind of fruit and vegetable you love. My favorite is mango. It is so juicy and runs off the tree. One thing I love is going running in the sea. The water is so clear that you can see about twenty to thirty feet below or even more.

I remember the food I used to eat there. I had fried fish, Johnny cake, sweet potato stuffing and more seafood. Sometimes I wish I could get the same kinds of foods up here that I did down there.

St. Thomas is one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Jamaica isn't the only one.

(Jermaine Martin, 11th Grade)