When Jessica Sanders hand-delivered me an appreciation card approaching Mother’s Day, I was taken aback. Had it been Father’s Day, I would have readily understood but Mother’s Day? It took me several moments to digest the gesture. Here is what led up to that card. Way back in the summer of 2007, Jessica was in the Jackson State University Summer Developmental Program where I was a busy-body volunteer lecturer on a regular basis. As always, I gravitate to students showing the most interest in upward mobility. Jessica was one of maybe 20 out of the 110 participants showing tremendous promise. Jessica introduced me to her mother during the program’s closing session. Two things happened: First Jessica told her mother, “This is Dr. Lackey that I have been telling you about who has inspired and motivated me so much.” In exchanging pleasantries with her mom, I was suddenly overcome with an eerie premonition that moved me to say “Don’t worry about Jessica, I promise to see that she succeeds in college and in life.” I kept my promise by giving Jessica moral support, books, anything she needed for college. She was a good student, my work/study student and a good JSU citizen. Jessica graduated from college. Then, her mother passed away while Jessica was entering graduate school. I stepped up and became more involved by having Jessica over to the house, interacting with my doctor daughters, doctor daughter in-law, and doctor goddaughter. I figured being in the company of so many female doctors could and would help Jessica seek higher ground. It did. Amidst losing her mom, working two jobs, and studying for a masters degree, she met a young man, became a single parent, and is now raising little Madison. I am a grandpa. Needing an internship to complete requirements for her masters, she approached me. I worked it out at the Mississippi eCenter@JSU and upon graduating with a masters degree, she was hired as a full-time staff member. Now, she is beginning the steps to earn the doctorate. So, for Mother’s Day, she gave me a card with the salutation “Father Lackey” but in a sense I think I stepped in and replaced “Mother.” Be that as it may, I remember that eerie premonition when looking in her mom’s eyes years ago. I now know what I saw: a plea for help from a terminally ill parent knowing death was imminent. I am keeping my promise.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:51:12 +0000
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