A Multigenre BookMcDuffie Family Reflections

Written by Teinnia McDuffie,A Wife and Mother.

My name is Teinnia McDuffie, the mother of four beautiful children and beloved wife to Darnell McDuffie

of 16 years.

This book is a commemoration of my family, whom I love, value, and adore! I authored these writings based

upon past memories using my family as my primary motivation.

Oftentimes, I find myself a slave to ambition and I rarely find time to stop and reflect on people that are

closes to me, my children and husband. This was a great way of spending quality time thinking about and

reflecting on the past, we share together, from my point of view.

This commemoration book is dedicated to my family and I will present it to them on Christmas Eve 2012

during our family’s Family Night. This will be a gift for them.

To Akeem and Jah-Que,

“He and I”

A Poem

By Mom

He and I

He met me when I was young, I was all he knew.He transformed my life, I sheltered his.He gave me a new name, I gave him an identity.He made me responsible, I made him my responsibility.He was a part of me, I made him whole.He clung to me, I held him close.He was weak and timid, I was strong and assured.He discovered life through my eyes; I taught him all to know.He was a gift, I was a recipient.He will go far, I will stay near-He is my beloved son, I am his beloved mom!

Poetry by Teinnia

Darnell and Teinnia,

A Classic Love Story

A love story, The day we met. I still remember your smile when I walked in to Quincy’s on my first day of work. You

asked my name, you said it was pretty. I reached upon the wood stained counter to sign my time card, you commented on how beautiful my handwriting was. Just after a couple of weeks working at Quincy’s, you made it a point to compliment me whenever we would work together. Every time I felt your presence in a room, my eyes could not help but to rush and find you, to my surprise you would find me first.

Once you knew that I walked home alone after my evening shift, you offered me a ride. At first I did not accept the offer. Finally I gave in. My heart would pound in my chest, when every close to you. I thought you were amazing and quickly became infatuated by your very being. I remember sitting at home and thinking of you often. I would call you and make excuses for you to come over, just to see you. I could not wait to go to work, hoping that we were scheduled together. I would always flirt with you and ask “how’s your girlfriend?” you would say you did not have one. We both knew better.

Finally on May 12, 1989 you asked me out on our first date. I accepted. After I got to know you better, you became more than just a friend. You became my strength, my lover, and my confidant. You always seem to make me laugh when I was down. You often denied yourself that I may have. You extended your hand to me; you would give me your last. When I needed you most, you were always there.

I remember the time I became extremely sick and had to stay over in the hospital. You stayed by my side and never left me alone. I remember each child birth we shared; you comforted me and held my hand tightly every step of the way. Until this day you haven’t changed, it has been 23 years since the moment we met, and I’m so grateful that you remain the same. I’m so grateful to God for you!

Your wife, Teinnia, I love you.

How, Why, What, When, and Who?

“Who are you to decide that your parents do not know what is best for you?” I know you

think we are old fashioned, and don’t know anything. But, the next time you decide what is best for you, consider these simple questions before you do. “Who will provide for you?” “What will happen?” “What will you do without an education?” “How will you know what to do?” And “why plot and plan to disobey?”

“How will you know what to do when situations go wrong?” Things don’t always turn out the way we plan. As a child, you need to learn to listen to your parents, whether you like it or not, we do know what is best for you.

“Why plot and plan to disobey and say, things like, “I can’t wait to leave, right away?” You will learn soon enough how difficult life is. The world is full of lies, hate, sorrow, and pain. Consider “Mother to Son” a poem by the late Langston Hughes, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, and splinters, and boards torn up, and places with no carpet on the floor— Bare.” (Vintage Books, 1994) Now when you walk beyond the doors of this house, we want you to be ready for all that life have to offer. You must wait for instruction and when the time is right for you to leave, you will know.

“What will you do without an education?” I know that we stress the importance of getting a good education, paying attention in school, and doing your best. “Did you know that according to statics, high school drop outs earn $9200.00 less per year per average than high school graduates and about $1 million less over a life time than college graduates?” (Hart, P. D. The Silent Epidemic, Perspectives of the High School Dropout, March 2006) Do your best in school! If would you focus and exert your energy in education, you are almost promised emanate success, higher paying jobs, and better health. Now, “How do you like them apples?”

“Who will take care of and provide for you?” Now that you are home life seems easy. You think you got it made. Most of which is true, but when you leave home, “who will provide for you?” We want you to understand that no one will provide and care for you like your parents. As a teen, you are not mentally or financially able to care for yourself or personal needs. It is in your best interest to depend on your parents.

Finally, “When will you listen to your parents?” “Can’t you understand?” We are here to do what is best for you! To protect, educate, and provide for you. So, the next time you decide that we do not know what’s best for you just ask yourself these simple questions; how, why, what, when, and who? http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/177021 http://www.ignitelearning.com/pdf/TheSilentEpidemic3-06FINAL.pdf

The Prayer,

3 John 1: 3-41: 3 for I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren

came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walk in the truth.

1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

(NIV) 

From the very first day you were born, I looked down and prayed peacefully over you. I looked in to your

beautiful brown eyes and prayed that God’s grace would always keep and cover you. I pray that your life be filled with hope and doubtless faith, that you will forever have

an up close and personal relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Next, I pray that you will esteem others higher than yourselves,

incessantly praying for one another. I pray that you will chose to walk in love, hope, peace, joy, and kindness and of all these I pray more over that you will chose love, for love covers the multitude of sins. Finally my

children, I pray that you will continue to walk in the truth of God. For nothing pleases my heart more than to know my children are rooted and grounded in the foundation

of God almighty and are walking faithfully in truth!

The Year You Were Born…

The Year You Were Born…Jah-Que McDuffie

Year 2000President: George W. Bush II

National Population: 281,421,906Median Household Income: $ 50,046

Super Bowl XXX III Winners: Baltimore RavensNBA Championship: The Los Angeles Lakers

World Series Cup: New York Yankees

The Year You Were Born…Akeem McDuffie

Year 1990President: George W. Bush, SeniorNational Population: 249,438,712

Median Household Income: $ 29,943.00# 1 Best Seller Fiction: “Oh, The Places You’ll Go”, Dr. Suess

Top 10 Music Award: “Because I Love You ( The Postman Song)” Stevie BSuper Bowl XXX Winners: New York Giants

NBA Championship: DetroitWorld Series Cup: Cincinnati

Hot topics in the News: Infiniti, Saturn, and Lexus car brands hit the scene.The latest new sitcom: Cosby Show rated # 5 most watched sitcom and The

Simpson’s aired for the first time.Last technology: Caller ID was introduced to the public.

The Year You Were Born…Elicia McDuffie

Year 1995President: Bill Clinton

National Population: 262,764,948Median Household Income: $ 34,076.00

# 1 Best Seller Fiction: “The Rainmaker” by John Grisham

Top 10 Music Award: “Cracked Rearview” Hootie and the Blowfish”

Super Bowl XXX Winners: Dallas CowboysNBA Championship: Huston Rockets

World Series Cup: Atlanta BravesHot topics in the News: Blue M&M’s added to the mix and

Michael Jordan leaves retirement to play again for the Chicago Bulls.

http://www.1990sflashback.com

The Year You Were Born…Angel McDuffie

Year 1998President: Bill Clinton

National Population: 270,298,524Median Household Income: $ 38,568.00

# 1 Best Seller Fiction: “The Street Lawyer”Top 10 Music Award: “The Boy is Mine” Brandy and Monica

Super Bowl XXX III Winners: Denver BroncosNBA Championship: Chicago BullsWorld Series Cup: New York Yankees

Hot topics in the News: Rugrats and Teletubbies were the latest child centered educational shows and Furby was popular most popular toy.

http://censtats.census.gov/data/US/01000.pdf