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Betty Baisley

 






My grandmother is on my mind because her anniversary is coming up.....I realize how much of an influence she is on me. You know why I have this vast vocabulary? Because Nana used to TALK to me....my family doesn’t really like to talk to about it because I talk so much now🤣🤣🤣 but I was speech delayed as well. I believe it was because of my hearing I always had hearing problems my parents and teachers just masked and hid it because well I was a gifted, black little girl growing up in NYC in a time where every spot was a challenge. It more than likely was co-signed and approved by Nana...


My Grandmother was to me in death what she was in life-My Role Model. I KNOW almost everything about her and it makes me admire her more. The respect my Mother had for her was so touching. She always used to say “Miss Betty loves my kids” with pride! Nana gave us everything! ALL of US every time. Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, we was lit! I am so confident body wise because my Grandmother made me feel beautiful and my butt was something to be HAPPY I had (like Monica and Zabrina) 


My Mother would taunt Daddy when he was acting a FOOL or wanted to stay home on Friday nights (y’all already KNOW family )“well I’m going over there to your Mother house NOW -if I lay down I’m a go to sleep and we going to miss everything ” and he would jump up and get ready and we would file out past everyone that NEVER left the BLOCK and ride to Baisley Blvd. 


I have so many memories of Nana and her sage wisdom and advice so many times she saved me. The hospital when my oldest was born when she verbally eviscerated the racist nurse (without uttering ONE curse) as Mommy and Aunt Bean stood there with PRIDE🙏🏾(thank GOD Aunt Jetaun wasn’t there 🤦🏾‍♀️( they said that TOO) 🤣🤣🤣with stilettos on in her 70s💪🏾


When I wanted to run for City Council and she told me I could be the Mayor of NY because I was KIM! She always said that to me” you are KIM.” “Periodt! 


My grandmother had 13 children and she loved them all separate yet equally. She treated my grandfather like the man that he was. My grandparents were friends with my Granny and Papa and for s time both lived on opposite sides of Baisley Pond. My Nana and Granny had a baby on the SAME day. Aunt Helen and Uncle Carlton. One had 13 and one had two it was so amazing to me. 


Above ALL she was present. Y’all remember my graduation and her screaming “take off them shoes” when I came out the band pit(yes I was in the BAND) when I came on stage....


We all like to THINK we are her favorites....in my opinion she missed the ones that weren’t there the most because it was just her and Aunt Bert in the beginning so she liked to keep us close. She gave my Father the gift and key to a life he never would of imagined and I KNOW this and Mommy did TOO. 

I hope he did....


She told me to tell OUR story. She said don’t worry about MINE because someone would tell it one day. She used to not look at me when she talked and I couldn’t read her lips in the beginning and she would say after she grabbed me hands”I forgot you don’t hear too good anymore Kim like my baby on the bus” He’s smart just like YOU and would tell me ALL about him and how he was grown and probably doing fine! ALL of US and she STILL was the matron for special needs kids in ROCKAWAY 😢I forgot THAT until I wrote this! And she couldn’t even DRIVE 🤣🤣🤣


Do you KNOW how much of a journey my life has been? It’s a drop of sand in time compared to hers. I have an opportunity to WRITE a television show about ANYTHING and I was going to use the last year during covid (EVERYTHING) but I want to put that on paper. I want to have parents and anyone who is on a journey to read my journey. Because it’s guided by HER. All my ancestors. 


I can film in another part of the country and everything is outlined and it’s like ULTIMATE school project. Do y’all know WHY my speeches were so GOOD??? I practiced ALL weekend with my FAMILY! We miss you Nana eight years later and I still can’t believe you not here to tell me you ain’t going nowhere....you didn’t really you with each of us every step of the way. 






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