Writing by Mrs. Angelou

I want to say that this town didn't really shape me into the man I am. I want to say that the Military, or just being out of this state for a prolonged period of time made me who I am. But I look back and notice that the people I care about in this town, one in particular being my recently passed grandmother, is what put in me the values and ethics I use today. This town, at least when I was growing up was a town of family discipline. I have noticed that over the years the standard on discipline have changed for the worse. I thought maybe that this was more Marine gibberish coming out of me, but it isn't. It actually saddens me a bit to see the way children react to their parents, or the way parents don't react to their children. This town shaped me into a person who could join the military and survive. But now, these kids can't even say sir, or ma'am, or thank you when someone holds a door for them. It hurts my soul.