When I was growing up, my grandfather taught me that it is never too late to learn.
One summer morning, we were walking together when he proudly told me that he had learned to read and write. I still remember the smile on his face. It was not just the smile of a man who had learned a new skill. It was the smile of a man who had opened a new chapter in his life.
That moment stayed with me.
My grandfather was born in Mississippi during a time when the United States was still segregated. As a child, he worked in the fields instead of going to school. He did not have the same chance to learn to read that many people take for granted.
But his story did not end in the field.
When he was in his 80s, he learned to read.
After he passed away, our family found a newspaper article among his belongings. The headline read, “Mr. Dan Learns to Read.”
Seeing that headline brought me back to that summer morning. It reminded me of his pride, his courage, and his willingness to keep becoming, even late in life.
Tameka Art 