Letter 51

March 2, 1990

My Dear Son,

How are you Fine I hope as For me I doing Better. Thank God I received your Most Kind Welcomed letter. I so glade to hear From you. When you was here I sure did Enjoyed you all.

I will Keep that letter as long as I Can. It was the Most Beautiful letter I Ever got from you. I glade you are giving me my Flowers while I am living. I preshate the beautiful Words I will For Ever love you.* I also hope you Be What I hope you to Be By help of God.

You look So good I hope you Keep that handsome Face all ways. The rest of the Family is doing OK Far as I know. I dont want you to stay up there and want For Food. You know I will divide with you What Ever. I have a few pennies the First of the month not much I willing to divide. That what mothers are For.

I hope to be up For Mothers Day. I hope things work out So we Can Come. Debbie say she is having Mothers day dinner at her house. She invited us up. Did you find a second job yet.** So you take good care of your Self. Keep looking handsome. I still praying For you.

With all my love

Mother

 Commentary

**I was on call with the school system. I am unsure whether I found a second job or not. But I would indeed find another job that summer in Mayor Schmoke’s adult education program. This job ended up being the longest job I ever had. It lasted three years. That spring, I also applied for another doctoral program. This time at Morgan State. I considered an education degree in administration. I was influenced by Bill Cosby and his degree in education. I took the Miller’s Analogies Test and made the highest score of any previous applicant. They were shocked. But I only lasted in the program a year. I was discouraged by the students and the professors working in the program. I also had a run in with Homer Favor, who had been at Morgan since 1968. He received my papers but refused to return them, which made me suspect he was arbitrary in his grading. The chair of the department and the graduate school refused to rectify the matter. I just didn’t have my heart in it and gave up my fellowship. But I still had my job as an adult education teacher, which was indeed satisfying and rewarding. Some of my former students still stop me on the street and speak well of me. Such words are a balm to my soul and make feel that my life has been worthwhile and that I have touched others and made a difference. These occasions seem to me more valuable and uplifting than power or gold.