Only in America

Only In America tells some of my life's milestones. I shared as much as I could remember. Being raised by a single Mom with 8 children in a third world country was bittersweet. I loved Jamaica but it was rough. I was the only boy and the last child in the family. I was not supposed to live. My mother had miscarriages before my birth and the unborn were all boys. I was told that I was a special child. My mother told me that my grandfather dreamt that someone in the family was going to have a son. He believed that my mother was going to have a son. So my grandfather advised that when the child was born, that they must take some of the grease that was used to grease the cartwheel and anoint the bottom of the "boychild's" foot. When I was born, that's exactly what they did. I don't know why they choose that grease nor if it worked the way Grand-dad stated. But I do know I was anointed with grease as a child. Despite my humble beginnings in Jamaica, growing up as a little boy with a learning disability and having no father, and trying to find myself, there was still hope for me. My life changed once I reached America and I am grateful. My steps have been anointed by God, who allowed me to step on American soil. My life has been CHANGED forever and today I sing: America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!