by Angela Diggs

Created on: August 12, 2008   Last Updated: January 29, 2009

People in our lives teach us different lessons about life. They come in categories. There are conditioners, pass-through, anchors and the distracters. Unfortunately, there are people in my family that belong to the last category. Even though that is the case, they have taught me some valuable lessons.

As I grow older, I realize, I've been blessed with so many great people. Each one of them made me who I am today. It truly does take a village to raise a child. Every person that has come in and out of my life has left something special deep in my heart.

The first person I met was my mother. Her category would be an anchor. She keeps me grounded when I lose sight of what is important. That is what an anchor does. I remember her warm kisses and loving tone of voice as she sang me to sleep. She would gently rub my head as she prayed over me night after night. I remember her always being there no matter what. She is the largest influence in my life. She attended every PTA meeting there ever was and consistently supported me through the toughest times. What would I do without my mother? I can't tell you. She was and is still my best friend, role model, coach, mentor, and authority figure.

My grandparents were also I large influence. They were also my anchors. They instilled deep values that will be with me for the rest of my life. The family use to call my grandfather" Poppy". He had hair like Don King. It would stick up and my sister and I would play with it all the time. He was our protector and father figure at the time. When "Poppy" came into the room, he demanded respect. He didn't take anything off anybody. When he spoke, you listened. He had a cigarette with every meal.

My aunt Wilma was an anchor because she brought out the real me. She always encouraged me to use my God given ability to help someone else. She always kept a smile on her face and that made me smile.

I use to have a friend name Yekatit. She went from an anchor to a distracter. We grew up together. We went to the same elementary school, middle school and high school. She was my anchor because she accepted me for who I was and never put me down for being different. However, she became so negative over the years. She also became mentally ill and suicidal. Her personality began to change and we grew apart. When I contacted her last, she acted like she didn't know me. Then she accused me of using her and being a fake Christian. This dark side of her emerged. I realized she was a distraction. I pray for her now.

There are some people in our lives that pass through. They are there for a season of time, and then they are gone. They are not meant to stay in our lives forever. There purpose is to get us through to the next season of life. I had a friend who was a pass through. He encouraged me to keep moving when I wanted to give up. He always called and checked up on me. He did this for about 4 years. He uses to tell me to get my life together. He wanted me to get my education and everything. Then one day he was gone. I didn't hear from him anymore. He made me a stronger person. I thank God for him everyday.

Every person in our lives has a purpose. They are there to distract, anchor, pass through or condition your life.

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