My brother Sammie who is currently in college. I took this picture at the nursing home where my Grandma is staying.
Monthly Archives: January 2014
Hurley Sisters
The day after Thanksgiving was my Birthday last year. I wanted two things and I got them.
I got to spend time with my Grandma and I got to do a photo-shoot of my 5 siblings.
This is a picture of me and my 4 sisters. Our little brother took a picture of us.
I love my siblings.
Sisters
I forgot what we were talking about, but my sisters and I were extremely happy.
April
Grandma Lee
This is a picture of some of my family.
In the center is my Grandmother, Grandma Lee. She is my mother’s mom. She is surrounded by her Grandchildren.
I blogged about her early last year. I went down to spend time with her.
She was doing fine when I went down to see her last year but this pass Thanksgiving she was in a wheelchair and not staying in her home. She is in a nursing home.
My mother passed away a few years ago. I got close to my grandmother. I, along with my siblings are doing all we can do to try to help Grandma Lee get back on her feet.
She had a few strokes and is unhappy in this home.
If our mother was here, we know our mom would drop everything just to take care of her.
Now my Aunt is trying to get rid of my grandmother’s home. I’ve been trying to keep it in the family. Nothing seems to be going right.
My grandma is not even dead yet my aunt is seeing to get rid of her home. My second eldest sister is staying there now. Our plan was, when Grandma gets better, she would be there to help her out.
Money always seems to be an issue all of sudden.
West Point, Virginia
Over Thanksgiving, I went to Virginia to visit family.
I took a picture of the smoke rising from the paper mill factory. It was not a pleasant smell but as a photographer I like the smoke effect.
I wonder if this factory is the reason why my cousin who lives in the area have a bad case of asthma?
Rob Bennaton
When I was in College, I got an internship at the New York City Housing Authority. I was working in the Garden and Greening Program and hired by Rob Bennaton, the happy man in the picture….also the only man in the picture.
When I left, I told my sister, Yunis, about the internship. Yunis applied and was the next person Rob hired. Before she left, she passed on the position to my brother who then passed it on to our youngest sister, April, who now works there. Can you believe, all my younger siblings were also hired by Rob?
That’s why it is important to have a good record where ever you go.
Each summer since 2008, someone in my house was working for Rob or because of Rob. Each summer he shared with us different words of wisdom.
Rob is now leaving the New York City Housing Authority for a bigger and better position in California.
I am very happy for him and wish him and his beautiful family all the best.
Thank you Rob for your constant words of wisdom and for looking out for my family your help towards us will never be forgotten.
Javaka Steptoe came to Church!
I’ve been witnessing to Mr. Steptoe for awhile and praying that one day God will allow him to visit my church and it finally came to pass December 29th 2013! He came to church! I was very happy as you can see in the picture.
Javaka Steptoe is an illustrator and children’s book author. You can check out his work at http://www.javaka.com/
Vito’s Story
My Dad met the owner of Dominick’s Pizzeria, Vito, in person one night on the road.
Vito had car problems and needed someone to boost his vehicle. My father happened to be the person who helped him out. Vito wanted to pay my dad but my father said it was okay. So, Vito invited him to his restaurant.
We arrived unannounced on a Sunday afternoon. We were the only ones there who sat and stayed for a while. Vito and my dad shook hands and then he met my sisters and I. They spoke for a little bit and then we meet his wife.
After she gave us a warm welcome she jokingly said to my father, ‘you should have left him at the side of the road!’ Her anecdotes and witty comments help set the homely tone for the afternoon.
Vito and Anne fixed a really good pizza for us,( as you saw in the other picture)
. We had to wait for a while but it was worth the wait. It was fresh and delicious. You ever had pizza with shrimp? Vito said he always think of new pizza recipes.
I aim to visit Vito again. You should go too! Visit Dominick’s Pizzeria at 1015 Allerton Ave Bronx, NY 10469.
Dominick’s Pizzeria
Back in November of last year, my father took the family to a pizza shop in Pelham Gardens. It was ran by an Italian family. The husband and wife were hospitable and kind. The wife, Anne, shared with us a story about her son:
…My son, he loves me. Both of my kids love me but my son shows it differently than my daughter. He kisses and hugs me everyday. Every time he leaves to go to work and every time he comes home. No matter what times he comes home, he always make sure he tells me he loves me.
Of all the stories she shared with us, I think I enjoyed that one the most. I see so much love there. To me, the guy who has love and respect for his mother would have love and respect for his wife.
Vito, the husband, also shared stories. His were more about the restaurant business:
When I cook, I don’t have an agenda. I’ve been in the restaurant business for 40 years and had this business for 22 of those years. I will retire soon. When I retire, I am going back to Italy. The life style here is good for work but not good for old people. I love Europe and the history. When I retire, Italy will be where I go. 
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