it is never too late

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE
By Faye Dukes
This Book Belongs to:
___________Faye Dukes____________
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE
Copyright © 2012 by FAYE DUKES
Faye was born in Atlanta Georgia to Norma and Fred Dukes.
Acknowledgment
My parents made me who I am in spite of myself.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
mechanical means including storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from FAYE
DUKES
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This Book is Dedicated to:
This book is dedicated to Norma and
Fred Dukes. The best mom and dad that
anyone could ever have.
PROLOGUE
I chose the title because I started over when I was
older. When I had my two sons I knew my life needed
to change and I had to make a good life for my
children. I decided to go back to school when most
people are retiring. I wanted to make my life mean
something to me, my children and my other family
members. I finished my Associates Degree and now I
am working on my Bachelors Degree. I am attending
TTU in Cookeville, TN. This book is a project for my
Language Arts class. We are required to make an
autobiography book with 15 topics in the book. We will
learn, not only to write, but a way to use technology by
incorporating the E-Book.
My first name is Faye. I was named
after a movie star named Alice Faye. My
mother loved to go to movies when she
was a little girl and as a young lady. She
loved the name Faye. Her mother's name
was Lillie Mae. She took the Mae and
named me Faye Maenette Dukes. She
was so proud of picking out my name.
EPITAPH
SHE LOVED HER CHILDREN, SHE LOVED
GOD, SHE LOVED FAMILY
LIKES
TV
A BIG SOFT CHAIR
TIME WITH MY KIDS
READING A GOOD BOOK
WEEKEND TRIPS
A BIG STEAK
COKES
FISHING
CAMPING
MOVIES
DINNER WITH FRIENDS
MY FAVORITE SONGS
DISLIKES
OPERA
COLD WEATHER
GETTING UP EARLY
CRACKING KNUCKLES
BEETS
ROOT BEER
FOREIGN FILMS
WASHING DISHES
BEING LATE
RUDE PEOPLE
DRUGS
UNCOMFORTABLE SHOES
It was a day unlike no other. She had no idea why, but she knew
that her life would never be the same. Her hand went to her
tummy. There was a life there. She did not really get it yet. She
did not even know how she was going to feel before the day was
over.
The sun woke her up earlier than usual and there was no going
back to sleep now. She woke her husband up because she felt like
something was wrong. It was way too early for the baby to come.
The Doctor told her that he could not stop the baby now. They
would have to let him deliver at 26 weeks. She cried for fear and
did not know what to expect.
Hours later she saw a small little boy, barely hanging on to life.
The love was overwhelming. She had never known such a feeling.
She knew she would never love more pure than this minute. They
said he is so small and he may not make it. She prayed the deepest
prayer she had ever prayed. "Please let him live."
Twenty two years later she looks at her son, 6 foot 3, 200
pounds, handsome, and smart. Next to him is her youngest son, the
same 6 foot 3 and the same handsome and smart. "Thank you Lord,"
she whispered.
Lessons I learned To Late
When I think back the most important lesson I
learned too late was that education is so important. I
had so many dreams in my life. I did not understnad
that my dreams could not come ture without the
education to achieve them. I am in school now to
become a teacher. I know that it is realy too late to
work my way into a school system. I am too old now
to start as a young teacher. I am proud of the worfk
I hae done to achieve my goals, however I do wish I
had realized my goals when I was young enough to put
them into full action. I hope someone learns from my
mistake. Your education is so important
Your description
Who am I?
I am a Mother, daughter, sister, friend, and christian.
I am a Mother. I have two sons who have depended on me to provide them with
food and shelter. I have had to think of them ahead of myself and make sure they
have a good life.
I am a daughter. I had the most wonderful parents in the world. I was not always
pleasant to them when I was younger. As the years passed and I had my own children I
understood how they felt. I knew what they felt for me and how they wanted me to
succeed.
I am a sister. I have a sister who is 20 months younger than me. When we were
young I thought she was an annoyance. When we were teenagers I tried to protect her
from people and learning experiences. When we were young adults we worked together
and learned to respect each other as adults. As we grow older now I realize she is the
best friend I could ever have and I love her very much.
I am a friend. When I was young I always tried to please everyone. I was bossy in
a way, but when it came to my friends I thought I had to do things to be accepted. I
did not understand what I do today, that I am loved by my friends for being myself. I
am a good and loyal friend and when my friends need me I am there for them. My
friends are always there for me too. I love my friends and some of friends have been
my friend so long I think of them as family.
I am a Christian. I think after I had my children, I realized how much Christ
meant to me and made him part of my life. I grew up in a Christian home and my
parents. They were a good role model to me about how to live a Christian life. Now
that I have my own children, I realize how I need to model that life for them. The
thing I know however, is that is has to be a real experience and a real decision. I love
my life now and I try hard everyday to make my decisions better and guide my sons in
their life.
My favorite songs today are Contemporary Christian songs. When I
was growing up I loved Motown, The Beatles, and Pop songs of the
60's. I use to play my records over and over until I knew every word.
Now I play the radio in my car and I still sing as loud as I can, as
long as no one is listening. These songs make me feel like someone
is comforting me.
East to West is a good song that helps me remember what Christ did
for me. Who am I is a good song that helps me feel comforted.
Amazing Grace is a song that has been a favorite for years. There is
a new version of it now that is beautiful. I love to listen to it when I
am tired or sad.
Dealing With The Loss of my Parents
How I deal with the loss of my parents is something that I think of everyday. A few years ago my
mother got very sick. We started taking care of her at home because she did not want to go to a
nursing home. We did not want to put her there. My dad helped us and we shared the time we spent
with her. She had a sound mind, so we were able to talk to her and get ideas about how to help her.
She was very sorry to have to be taken care of, but we would not have it any other way. I lived across
the street from my parents. For two years I would go down every morning after my dad had already
checked in on her. I gave her breakfast and her medicine. I stayed and helped her till supper time. I
cooked for them and my family. My brother came 4 nights a week after work at about 11 and spent the
night. My sister came 3 nights and spent the night and stayed loner each day so I would have more
time off. We really had a good time sometimes. We would cook meals, all eat together, play games,
have sleepovers (my sons and my sister staying up half the night watching movies and eating snacks
while my mother laughed at them.) We grew very close in those hard times. We knew one day very
soon my mom would be gone. They gave her 2 years. It was soon going to be 2 years. She grew very
week. It was mothers day and then fathers day and we all had a fun time knowing this may be the last
one. It was. On June 26 my sister called me and said, "Daddy is dead." My daddy? He is not sick?
My daddy? I was crushed. My mom was devistated. "What will we do without our Daddy", My mom
cried. What a great man he was. He could not live without my mom. They were married 67 years.
Were born 9 days apart. Were together everyday. It was true. 6 days later, my Mom passed away in
my arms. She was going to meet my daddy. I can see them now, dancing down the streets of gold,
(they met at a dance in Atlanta) singing, (my daddy had not been able to talk for 20 years from
cancer.) I knew they were happy after living for 89 years here on earth. I learned many lessons from
my parents. The main one I think was love. They taught me love. They loved me, they loved my
children like no one else could. They were the best. I thank God everyday for those last 2 years we all
spent in that little house where I grew up, on Caron Drive.
ARE YOU HUNGRY
My favorite meal has to be a big T-Bone Steak, with a baked pot, or sweet pot
with lots of brown sugar and cinamon. There are a few places that could cook
such a great steak. Maybe Ruth Criss' Steakhouse, or the old Butcher Shop. I
cook it better at home on my grill. My second favorite meal is the one we eat on
Thanksgiving. I love it cooked the way my mom and my grandmother made it. I
learned how to cook all those foods and now I am the one who cooks on
Thanksgiving. We are from Georgia and it is a different way of cooking than in
Tennessee. The south (or Georgia) cooks with alot of butter and salt and sugar.
I make dressing the way they made it at the turn of the centry in my
grandmothers south Georgia kitchen. It is delicious. I have never tasted Turkey
and dressing the way I make it and my mother made it and my grandmother made
it. It melts in your mouth. The 3rd thing on my list, and you can ask anyone who
knows me, is a coca cola. My children know, "don't drink the last coke or you'll be
in trouble." After steak, thanksgiving, and cokes, my favorite foods are fried
chicken and fried okra, which I don't cook much anymore. Too many fried foods
are not good. But I cook it sometimes and I have been told, it is the best chicken
anywhere. (even Paula Dean). I like to go out to eat, but I never order fried
chicken, or turkey and dressing. When you have had the best then there is no
substitue. But I will order a good steak. Its my favorite.
Personal Alphabet
These adjectives describe me in so many ways. Some of them are adjectives that I try to
be, some are what others think of me, some are what I think of me and some are just how I
am. I think everyone is different in the different phases of their life. People change over
time. Here are some adjectives that are about me.
adaptable
bright
capable
determined
endurable
funny
good
honorable
instinctive
joyous
kind
loving
mature
nice
obedient
pleasant
quiet
reomantic
sensitive
trustworthy
unusual
vivacious
witty
youthful
xray-oops
zany
The Ultimate All-Purpose Excuse
Please excuse Faye from class today.
Today was the day she was to recieve an
award for the Mother of the Year in
Nashville, Tennessee. She was
nominated by her two sons, Richard and
Michael. They said that even though
she has went back to school and has so
much homework she still puts them
first. She will get a trophey and a week
paid vacation to the beach where she
can sit in the sun and recuporate from
her hard work. Thank you for
considering our request. She will make a
good teacher because she is now the
Mother of the year.
Remembrance of Things
Present
In twenty years the things
I want to remember about
who I am now is the part
of me that is a mother.
The best thing I ever did
was raise Richard and
Michael Davis into the
men that they are now. I
am so proud of them. I
was a sucess in that part
of my life.
My Bucket List
1. Go on a cruise (im
leaving in May 2012. It's
already booked)
2. See my son's fall in
love and get married.
3. Have grandchildren.
4. Graduate from TTU
5. Teach again.
6. Visit another Country