Prov. 31:10, "Who can find a VIRTUOUS woman?" Alcindor says, I can, my mother of 14 children. Prov. 31:11, "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil". Mom took care of my father well. She honored him and knew her place as a wife and mother.

Prov. 31:12, "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Mom has never said anything bad about our dad to her children. That is why we respected him and have much respect for her today. Prov. 31:13,"She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands." Mom made most of what we wore back in the day. Made herself many dresses and skirts!

Prov. 31:14,"....she bringeth her food from afar". We had many gardens of corn, beans and all kinds of veggies that mom had us to fill 2 big freezers for the winter. We purchased very little food from the store. We killed hogs, cows and a host of chickens each day. We knew the meat (chicken), but wanted to know the veggies. Prov. 31:15,"She riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household". Mom was last to go to bed and first up cooking, cleaning and a super woman. Never heard her complain! Prov. 31:17, "She girdeth her lions with strength..." Full of energy early in the mornings before the chickens got up! God gave her what she needed to be what we needed. Thanks so much mom! Prov. 31:26,"She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and her tongue is the law of kindness." Mom taught her children by actions, "if we can not say anything good, say nothing at all". Also, a person will NOT fuss long by themselves.

I learn from mom to be myself and live within my means. Not to impress others by going in debt! Mom has never been on a vacation. She has had doors open for her thru Avon, but so content outside in her yard watering her flowers. You can see her outside early in the mornings, walking with her sisters, Senora, Coretha, Ollie, Ruby and others, and then feeding her chickens. Yes in 2006, mom has chickens...lol! You go momma! My brother Wade had her a chicken house built with a remote control door.

Mom enjoys the simple things that God has provided for us all. Do we know how blessed we are? Prov. 31:28,"Her children arise up, and call her blessed...." She is blessed in so many ways by her children. Has want for nothing! Her children does something different for her all the time. We all deliver Avon....LOL! Prov. 31:31,"Give her of the fruit of her hand: and let her own works praise her in the gates". NEW CENTURY VERSION says it this way,"Give her the reward she has earned: she should be praised in public for what she has done". In Feb. 2006 at a Black History Program in Leland, NC at St. James AME Zion Church, I honored my mom in 9 ways. I had mom to stand with me in front of the church. I told the people,"I was in the 9th grade when my dad passed in 1984. Mom carried me for 9 months, I am her 9th child and I want to honor her with 9 suits. I had several women to walk in with 9 suits for my mom. I do not wait for Christmas, her birthday or/and Mother's Day to bless my mom the VIRTUOUS woman, mother and my friend. I love you mother with your blessed self...Alcindor!