Growing Up: In the Beginning

According to my mom, the night before I was born, she was watching the news on TV, and it was filled with stories of the war in Vietnam (which my dad didn't fight in because he was slightly asthmatic and definitely flat-footed). Seeing all those stories about the war, along with the stories of the Vietnam protests in America, really had my mom depressed. She's not sure if it was the upsetting news on the TV or the red beans and cornbread that she had for supper that sent her into labor, but I was born the very next day. 

My mother was born and bred in Texas, and she is most definitely a Sistren. Actually, her title was officially changed to Mothren once she successfully raised her own daughter to be a Sistren. Therefore, she is now entitled to a certain amount of deference and respect within the Sistren community.

This would probably be a good time to define the term Sistren. The Sistren are a group of women who feel like it is their responsibility (perhaps even their calling) to help take care of everyone else. I was born and raised Sistren, and whether that is a blessing or a burden on the part of the Almighty has yet to be determined, but it seems to be my destiny, nevertheless...