Growing up in a “spiritless” Environment.

Ok my life wasn’t perfect. Surprise!!! My mother was a child thrown into the “adult” world, without training. She couldn’t cope as well with so little support. By age 3, I was told by her, she’d left me with my grandparents to get away from her life. She returned several months later. That’s around the time she was introduced to drugs. I’m telling you this to let you know where I’ve come from, not to degrade who my mother was.

My “family”, was a broad variety of obscure characters. I had my blood relatives. But, my family was mom’s clique. From pimps, drug dealers to addicts and prostitutes. I cannot truly tell you I had a childlike innocence. I knew and observed too much. I saw the good of being carefree, daring, reckless, etc., and also the bad.

Watching my mother hustle to feed me and her addictions was an eye-opener growing up. Seeing her using her intellect to con people, and having quick wit to not be conned, made me realize I didn’t want to be this way. The day in, and day out grind to feed her habits and child illegally, was sad and monotonous.

I could have easily fallen into this same life and been good at it. I often wonder if I wasn’t so observant, would this be my way of life?! Even then God was guiding my steps. I went through a lot, more than I can share in this blog. Yet, I came through, still standing.

My “family” loved and protected me physically. Although, they couldn’t protect my childhood. The negativity of the “streets”, taught me well. Hustlin’ is a loser’s game. You think you got the upper hand, only to return to the same starting point again and again.