Happy Birthday Daddy - Joseph Roy Crawford
January 15, 1913 - March 28, 1984
I am a daddy’s girls and even though it’s been 37 years since his passing, I still look to the lessons he taught to guide me.
Here are a few -
Be curious.
Many nights we’d sit out in the dark and watch the moon and stars and he’d teach me about the phases and constellations.
Listen, Ask Questions & Imagine
My dad proudly served in WWII. He shared stories about his travels and experiences as a “negro” in Italy and how Italians had been told he and others had tails like monkeys. It made me cry and I asked if it made him sad while imagining the day I’d travel to unknown places and have a different experience.
Have Faith, Love Family, Live Joyously and Sing
I grew up in a family church where the choir was named for my grandfather - The George Crawford Choir. Blessing my food before eating, saying nightly prayers on my knees before bed and being sung to sleep by my father were habits. I knew that I was loved.
Get an Education, Strive for Better and Dream.
Neither of my parents graduated high school but their dreams for me were limitless. When I was 4, my parents moved from our rural family community on Crawford Street to the city so I could go to school and live a better life. Until then we drank well water, cooked on wood stoves, stored our food in an “ice box”, had kerosene lamps for lighting and used an out house for bathroom or a slop jar at night.
Even during a time of segregation and discrimination, he was a dreamer and encouraged me to dream the impossible dream. When the opportunity came for me to attend a private high school in Massachusetts on academic scholarship, my parents were my greatest cheerleaders sending me off based on recommendations from my favorite teacher Mrs. Holman, principal & church superintendent Mr. Booker and my pastor - Dr. Miles J Jones. It was 1968 and the height of the civil rights movement. Trusting their faith and dreams of a better life allowed then to let me go not knowing what my experience would be. What a sacrifice they made and I’m forever grateful and exceedingly blessed.
Each year on your birthday dad, I remember these and many more lessons and share stories about you and mom to my children and grandchildren. You legacy and lessons live on. #DaddysGirl