When I was in the sixth or seventh grade, I began thinking that I wasn't nearly as smart as most of my peers. My grades had been very good in most subjects till then, but when Algebra was introduced, try as I may, I found it extremely difficult to understand. Most of my classmates, with the exception of a few, didn't seem to find it that difficult.

Both mother and father worked long hours so when I came home from school, it was my job to start preparing dinner for our family of five, mother, dad, my two brothers, Pete and George, grandpa Archie and myself.

Since the age of nine, when my grandmother, Mary, passed away, mother and I worked together with the cooking, house cleaning and laundry.
It was Archie's job to do the gardening but I was always out there begging him to let me water with the hose.

Mother was lame and worked long, hard hours as a Recreation Director with the Los Angeles City Parks and Recreation Department, so when she came home, she was very tired. Without realizing it, little by little, I began taking over more household responsibilities, which I rather enjoyed.
I thrived on the praise of my culinary abilities and liked trying out new recipes.

Now, entering Washington High School, homework was becoming more difficult and mother wasn't there to help me with it. One day, when I came home with a "D " in Algebra on my report card, my mother decided to make a huge sacrifice and take a year's leave of absence so she could be there for me when I arrived home from school. Her paycheck would be considerably less. We needed the money, but my father's business in the Sign Shop was growing so my parents agreed to lighten the load for Mary Lou.

Many changes took place in my life. With mother's expert coaching in Algebra and other subjects, next semester I had straight A's and Algebra became a snap.

My social life expanded, I was invited to join the Silver Skater's Sorority.
I learned how to ice skate and made many new friends. From then on, my life began to bloom. Mother and I became great pals, developing a wonderfully strong bond - a bond that has never been broken. Many good things developed because of that "D" in Algebra.

Afterthought: With proper guidance, nurturing and love, children of all ages can learn to excel in all things desired if the will is strong enough.

Copyright © 2008 Mary L. Ports