Clara "Cleo" Hoggett

is honored with a Brick from Philomene E. Peete.

When one pays tribute to another, it is with the understanding that this is no easy task. I say this with the realization that many women played roles in my life. Whether mother, aunts, cousins, sister-in-law, or friends, they were all significant. They all made contributions; thus, were all necessary for my growth.

Nevertheless, I feel compelled to say, all that I am and strive to be, is owed to the love and dedication of my grandmother, Clara Cleopatra Hoggett. Although her parents and siblings called her "Cleo," 19 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren simply called her "Mama."

Mama was wisdom, strength, virtue, and a true "unconditional" lover of her family. This alone was enough to personify her. To be more explicit, the great renowned psycho-social theorist Erik Erikson spoke of how wisdom comes with age. Indeed, I was privileged to be nourished by the wisdom expressed during her "generativity" stage of live.

Even though my grandmother enjoyed many happy moments, born in 1904, she knew hardship and pain. However, as the spiritual states, she "never said a mumbling word." Needless to say, even as a young girl, I marveled at her demonstrations of courage. How truly blessed were so many of us to have had her touch our lives.

Thus, in that spirit, I honor my grandmother. For most assuredly, "She was the Tree of Life."

Submitted by Philomene Peete

August 31, 1998