I chose to write this story about my mother as a legacy to her children and grandchildren, for future generations, and for those family members who did not know what a great person she was during her lifetime. My greatest inspiration that led me on this journey was that I see my mom's esteem and conviction living on in me.My name is O. Patricia Hynes-Dixon. I am the firstborn of my parents. My mother, being an advocate for higher learning, wished for me to become a medical doctor. However, at the young age of 18, that seemed like a very long journey for me. I could not envision what my mother was seeing, so I ignored her suggestion. As the African Igbo proverb goes, what an old man sees sitting down, a young man cannot see standing up.I rejected my mother's directive and my disobedience strained our relationship. From that point in my life, things were touch and go with my mother; I was never able to do anything to her satisfaction. However, I knew that her tough love attitude was for my benefit. In an attempt to earn her trust again, I went to nursing school. I graduated in 1975 with honors; still, she was not pleased because she felt I wasted my potential and did not set a good example for my younger siblings. Shortly afterward, I got married and had my own children. My siblings also got married. My brother was my only other sibling who pursued a college degree before marriage. Being an advocate for higher learning, my mother encouraged anyone she could to stay in school, and many yielded to her advice.After many years of instilling positive thoughts to her children, her grandchildren yielded to her petitions for higher education. My first child, my mother's oldest granddaughter, is gifted. She achieved a perfect score on her scholastic aptitude test and received a free ride to the University of her Choice anywhere in the United States. She also plays five instruments, graduating from Rosa Parks School of Fine Arts. She was my mother's pride and joy. She holds two master's degree in special education and numerous certifications in special education. She is now pursuing her doctoral degree in education. My mother's second oldest grandchild also graduated from an institute of higher learning with a master's in teaching. In total, seven of her 12 grandchildren hold degrees from higher institutes of learning. Later on, her children went back to school. I can now see what my mother saw sitting down. Today, I am a learned woman with several degrees. I hold a doctorate in philosophy, a master's in international business, a master's in mental health, a degree in legal studies, and am a registered professional nurse. My sister holds a degree in teaching. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease claimed my mother's memory so she did not witness the success of any of her children. Nonetheless, I chose to write about my mother to carry on her legacy. The story I imagine about my mother is not a fairytale or love story but more about the life my mother lived. In this story, there are no imaginary people or invented occasions. There is no intent to hurt the living or trouble the dead. My mission was for exactness; however, the passing of over 60 years may have tarnished the accuracy of the recorded events. Therefore, there might be different perspectives of a few components of these records that are similarly authentic. Recollections are that way. Regardless, this story is about my mother. Therefore, after so many years, some events might not be completely accurately. However, I believe a great way to honor my mother's memories is to write her biography. Therefore, I believe this biography is one of my pieces of writing that I am pleased with because the story is practical, lovable, and touches the heart.The strategy I used to write my mother's story was to welcome the individuals who knew her well to share their accounts to record their genuine sentiments and how she affected their lives.