RCM Keepsake3 eProgram - Flipbook - Page 13
Many years later, in 1984, Mama upgraded her choice of transportation to a silver BMW. With the remark,
“Sometimes you need a burst of speed” Our mother would cruise at 70mph like it was a stroll in the park.
I confess it was I who taught her how to drive a stick shift on a second hand $100 Ford Falcon that had a
manual transmission. I taught Mama how to shift gears on the three- speed transmission in the same way
my brother Kenneth taught me. He emphasized keeping your foot off the clutch when not shifting into a
different gear or riding the clutch. I did as he explained, and I still don’t remember him advising me to speed
at the sight of open roads at every opportunity. Or show off for the teenagers who watched her speed past.
Mama did not receive speeding tickets, which was amazing. My daughters and I haven’t been as fortunate
in this regard. While she looked like a proper conservative lady behind the wheel, make no mistake—Mama
was rocking out. She played the music at high volume while driving at top speed. She loved Sam Cooke,
Luther, Michael Jackson, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Prince and Queen Latifah. Mama blasted the music as
she drove.
Mama was intensely loyal. She faithfully attended Antioch Baptist through the growing pains and evolving
organizational disruptions. She did not get involved in issues that were not her concern. If made privy to
issues being whispered and gossiped about, Mama would assume a dubious expression. Those of us who
could discern the meaning behind her speci昀椀c facial expressions, got her subtle messages. As her daughter,
I interpreted dubious face number one to mean keep yourself to yourself, face number two to mean be a
good neighbor and stay over there where you can’t do more age and number three was basically, it’s time
to strategically retreat and escape the room. Fac four meant there was no need for further discussion. To
Mama, It was now obvious this is an empty barrel masquerading as a human being.
Mama was cultured, intellectually curious, and strongly receptive to and supportive of the arts. She especially
enjoyed opera, Madam Butter昀氀y’ was her favorite. In later years I drove Mama everywhere she needed or
wanted to go. Together, we enjoyed live stage performances such as “Othello” and plays authored by August
Wilson at Arena Stage, documentaries about the life of James Baldwin, Langston Hughes and the Harlem
Renaissance. Mama never gave up her love for and acquisition of books of all genres, including novels and
current news articles written in the Spanish language. Even in her 102nd year, she could be found sitting in
her favorite chair, near the kitchen doors, overlooking Bass Pond, reading a novel by T. Coates. Mama did
not let her mind become stagnant. She continued seeking knowledge and actively urging the children in the
family to read and stretch their minds.
Despite all her life’s adventures, Mama’s heart and favorite place was at home on Windward Drive in
Burke in her small house overlooking Bass Pond. Here, she was surrounded by her books, music, treasured
memorabilia from her travels to Switzerland and Spain over forty years ago. And of course, Mama enjoyed
the antics and the reciprocal, unconditional love of Riley, her pet dog.
My brother, Carroll introduced our Mom to technology and had his son, Gregory, her grandson to build her
昀椀rst computer as a surprise gift. From there, it was no stopping her with technology. She became savvy with
the iPad and other digital devices.
Windward Drive neighbors became her steady, quiet safety net. The neighbors were discreetly watching
over the extremely independent ‘older lady’ seen walking those paths well into her late nineties.
Mama lived simply, deeply loved her family and at 100 plus years, she kept going, one slow step at a time.
Still moving. Still persevering. Still Our Mama. Who lives to be ten days shy of her 103rd year on Earth?
Our Mama did. Vera B. Gant did such an amazing thing!
Still overachieving Mama! Still quiet, independent, gracious, sel昀氀ess, giving, caring, smart, strong, stylish and
wise, with your Bad Self. Our Mama!!
