In the heart of New Jersey, down the street from where Queen Latifa grew up, lived Mrs. Pearl Williams, affectionately known as “Big P.” She was the matriarch of a large family, one of nine girls, and her love for dance and life itself radiated from her every step.
Mrs. Williams grandsons, T and Q, each pursued their own passions. T found himself catching three buses working downtown and working at Foot Locker in Randhurst Mall, while Q, with a keen eye for the game, served as a baseball umpire.
One summer, Mrs. Williams decided to visit her son Will and her grandsons in Chicago. Together, they embarked on a journey of exploration, dining at the iconic Michael Jordan Restaurant and marveling at the city’s diverse sights and sounds.
Throughout their adventures, Mrs. Williams often repeated a simple yet profound mantra: “You gotta crawl before you walk.” To her, these words embodied the essence of perseverance and growth, a reminder to embrace each step of the journey, no matter how small.
Q, in his youthful impatience, found himself questioning his grandmother’s wisdom. “Why does she always say that?” he complained to his older brother T. “It’s like she’s telling us the same thing over and over again.”
T, took Q aside and explained the deeper meaning behind their grandmother’s words. “She’s teaching us about the importance of starting small and building a strong foundation,” T explained gently. “Just like in baseball, you have to learn the basics before you can umpire a game. It’s about taking gradual steps towards our goals and embracing the journey along the way.”
As the summer unfolded, T and Q began to understand the true significance of their grandmother’s mantra. Whether it was assisting customers at Foot Locker or making tough calls on the baseball field, they approached each task with patience and determination, knowing that every small step brought them closer to their dreams.
At the end of the summer, as they bid farewell to their beloved grandmother, T and Q carried her wisdom with them. In remembrance of her and the lessons she imparted, they vowed to embrace the mantra “you gotta crawl before you walk” in their own lives, cherishing each step of their journey and honoring the legacy of love and perseverance that Mrs. Williams left behind. Happy Birthday Big P!!!
