By “Mother” Albertha, July 9, 2014 – When he harvested sweet potatoes, my grandfather would bury them in sand, and they would keep until the next harvest. My grandmother would dry fish on the clothesline. When we got sick she’d boil hog hooves and make tea to help us feel better. We’d gut up the hog and give a little to everyone in the neighborhood. We’d all help cut it up and salt it. We had fig and persimmon trees, blackberries, and sugar cane you could peel and chew. We didn’t have a lot, but we had food!
My grandfather was a minister, and he gave some of our land for the church. It made me love people and want to help people. The Lord helped me through so much, through operations, and I thank him because he’s given me so much. I want to help anyone no matter what color. As I grow old I learn more about the Lord. I’m so blessed with a son who came up from Phoenix for my birthday.
I learned to always work for what I have. I take care of myself and help anyone I can. There’s a woman next door to me who’s sick, and I check on her every day. I pray for people, feed the hungry, and visit the women’s prison. I was part of the mission at my church and part of the choir.