I had heroes; growing up in Jacksonville

Mama had to quit school after the fifth grade to help out on their farm. Daddy had
to quit after the third grade to also help on their farm. Both were tenant farms in
south Georgia. After they were married and had three of us, Mama was pregnant
with our baby sister when we moved to East Fifty Sixth St. To help ends meet, Mama
began washing and ironing for our more prosperous neighbors. Our most dreaded times
was when Mama went in the hospital and Daddy took charge. We knew we were going
to get a steady diet of baloney sandwiches and a can of soup for every meal until
Mama came back home.

My Heroes!
By L. Don Oliver

Many times when I was young,
Needing someone to care;
When I would stumble and fall,
They would always be there;

I had heroes in my life,
Having neither fortune or fame;
I had heroes in my life,
Who never called me names;

Never to hit a winning home run,
Or to even score a touchdown;
Who never hit a free throw,
Or kicked a soccer ball around;

I had heroes in my life,
Lifting me when I was sad;
I had heroes in my life,
My Mom and my Dad;