While I was reading a legacy of love I realized that this story has many moral values to it. Florence was a strong African American woman that fought hard to provide for her family. Not know when her families last days were going to come; she did not waste anytime whatsoever. Myself being an African American woman I can truly say that I am extremely grateful for the lifestyle that I live today, because Florence portrays such a strong-willed, and determine woman. Not to say that I am not but she just seems to put the past behind her and she just keeps on going.
She was a very hard worker and she also endured a whole lot of pain. Her father being taken away from her family never to be seen again. Her mother having to sell potatoes and cassava roots just to get by financially. I happen to find that very hard on a young child to have to see things such as those, however Florence did not let that stop her. When Florence was around the age of 13 she married and gave birth to her first child, then her second, and then her third. However the third child passed away in 1997. When I read this segment I was shocked at how a woman could lose her child and then have a strong set mind. To remember that the world will not stop moving just because of a tragic death. However little did she realize her husband had another girlfriend in the village that was HIV positive. When I read this my mind became skeptical and my heart began to race. Just to have to think of how Florence must have felt to have found out that she was HIV positive.
Every time I read a story I try to put myself in the shoes of the main character. Just to see how I myself would relate to that particular character. Sometimes it is harder to relate to some character than others, however in this case with Florence, I just found it so depressing how she would just sit on the couch all day and just stare outside the window, just know that she could die any moment. Being in fear for her children’s lives, that they might have contracted that disease.
However just like her strong will power allowed her to do. She found a better way to cope with her aids. (Then she heard a radio announcement about the National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (NACWOLA), and mustered the courage to attend a meeting.
"When I walked into the room, there were all these people who looked like me," she says. "They were happy. They greeted me as if we were old friends." Florence began accompanying members as they spoke in public about AIDS and HIV. “I felt free," she says. "I couldn't be ashamed anymore. I decided it was better to talk about myself openly than to let people talk behind my back."
The group also taught Florence how to discuss her illness with her children. In simple language, she now talks to Ronald and Jackie about sexually transmitted diseases, her own infection, and the fact that she will likely die of AIDS.
"I told them everybody has to die someday, even them. It's a part of life. But right now, they know I'm healthy, and they try hard to help take care of me so I stay that way." Even Jackie, who's just 5, now regularly reminds her mother to take her antimalaria tablets, drink plenty of water, and eat greens. [Maynard,5].
During my reading I realized that she has found ways to educate her children and herself on the issue of HIV/AIDS. Even though I must admit it was a sad time for the family to be exposed to that inside their family. It was also a good thing that the children learned about the HIV/AIDS epidemic at such a young age. They were told by their mother and by their social-worker Rose not to be ignorant and to get you schooling become educated and expand your horizon. Luckily the children were tested negative for the disease.
The Orphanages in Africa are filled over the capacitated limit with children that were left behind by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However Florence hopes that after she passes away if her mother will take full responsibility for her children.
This story is one that I would have never expected the best from a situation such as this, but I mean hey, this is real life. It won’t always cooperate with you and it can endanger you and the ones that you love. If I had to say one thing important from this story it has to be that, even though you may not have received your pay check on time, or you may not have the perfect car. Some people have worse case scenarios but are still thankful.