It appeared that everyone who knew my mother loved her.
A walk up town {we lived in the south end} to pay bills took two hours or more instead of one because people always stopped to talk to her. There was always an unrelated face at the table come supper time and anyone sick in the neighborhood never had to want for care.
I only remember the door being locked a few times. People just opened it and called out. I use to jump out of my skin when someone rang the manual door bell. There was always an array of visitors and when mom wasn't to busy, she would bring out the tea service and what ever she had baked in the kitchen.
At some point, I had become shy and when company came I would hide behind chairs or under the dining room table. I knew about gay people at an early age. The gay people of color visited mom alot because she was so loving and excepting. They were my favorite because they always made my mom laugh as they related stories thatI had no idea what they were talking about. I learned no matter your belief, Our God is a God of love and we should emulate that.
Mom always incouraged her children to develope their natural talents. She turned out a group or singers, musicians,artist and actors. She had my sister and me on stage when I was six and in a movie before I started school. One or two nights a week, the family would gather around the piano. Our voices ranged from contralto to tenor. Mom kept up with all the latest music; We sang everything from country,musicals,ballards,opera,gospel,spirituals and hyms. My dads bass was so strong,my insides would vibrate everytime he sang.
During the summer months,people from the neighborhood would come with their musical talents and join in.
With thumb in mouth, I litteraly clung to my mothers' apron strings. At nap time she would hold me until I fell asleep. During that time I was to young to join in, so I sat between the legs of the piano in hope no one would remember I was there and I would fall asleep watching my mom's feet as they pushed down on the peddles. Looking back I realized, that those were the nights I wet the bed.