I just hopped off of a telephone interview where someone asked me to describe myself. Describe where I am from and where I plan to go.
It got me thinking. I am my mother’s daughter and she is her mother’s daughter… essentially I am Cleonia. I am the fighter of preservation of family. I am unconditional love. I am creativity and productivity. I am warm and gently and affectionate. I am fire and fight.
My grandmother and I share heritage and a bond that started when she invited me and my mother back into her home on my fourth day here on this earth. My grandmother are of the same race, but not the same color and the only thing we physically share are the curves in our lips and full fledged belly laugh. But everything else I am is because of her. My ability to read and retain, my love of music and cinema, my love of culture, my adventurous spirit, my religious faith… all Cleonia. She fought to keep me in a dress and make up on my face…but she accepted my love for football and the need to play with my brothers and not the girls on the block. Our bond is envied by friends and foes alike… as some can’t even remember the smell of their grandmother’s kitchen.
So I suppose, when he asked me the question I should have answered that I am Valerie and Valerie is Cleonia and Cleonia is me.
they are great and decided to share them with everyone!
