This multigenre book by Teinnia McDuffie commemorates her family through various writings including poems, stories, and reflections. It is a gift for her husband Darnell and their four children - Akeem, Jah-Que, Elicia, and Angel - that she will present to them on Christmas Eve 2012. The book contains personal memories and moments from their lives together through different genres including a poem about her relationship with each of her sons and a classic love story about how she met and fell in love with her husband Darnell.

1. A Multigenre Book
McDuffie Family Reflections
Written by Teinnia McDuffie,
A Wife and Mother.

2. My name is Teinnia McDuffie, the mother of four beautiful
children and beloved wife to Darnell McDuffie of 16 years.
This book is a commemoration of my family, whom I
love, value, and adore! I authored these writings based upon past
memories using my family as my primary motivation.
Oftentimes, I find myself a slave to ambition and I rarely find time
to stop and reflect on people that are closes to me, my children and
husband. This was a great way of spending quality time thinking about
and reflecting on the past, we share together, from my point of view.
This commemoration book is dedicated to my family and I will
present it to them on Christmas Eve 2012 during our family’s Family
Night. This will be a gift for them.

3. To Akeem and Jah-Que,
“He and I”
A Poem
By Mom

4. He and I
He met me when I was young, I was all he knew.
He transformed my life, I sheltered his.
He gave me a new name, I gave him an identity.
He made me responsible, I made him my responsibility.
He was a part of me, I made him whole.
He clung to me, I held him close.
He was weak and timid, I was strong and assured.
He discovered life through my eyes; I taught him all
to know.
He was a gift, I was a recipient.
He will go far, I will stay near-
He is my beloved son, I am his beloved mom!
Poetry by Teinnia

5. Darnell and Teinnia,
A Classic Love Story

6. A love story,
The day we met. I still remember your smile when I walked in to Quincy’s on my first day of work. You
asked my name, you said it was pretty. I reached upon the wood stained counter to sign my time card, you
commented on how beautiful my handwriting was. Just after a couple of weeks working at Quincy’s, you made it a
point to compliment me whenever we would work together. Every time I felt your presence in a room, my eyes could
not help but to rush and find you, to my surprise you would find me first.
Once you knew that I walked home alone after my evening shift, you offered me a ride. At first I did not
accept the offer. Finally I gave in. My heart would pound in my chest, when every close to you. I thought you were
amazing and quickly became infatuated by your very being. I remember sitting at home and thinking of you often. I
would call you and make excuses for you to come over, just to see you. I could not wait to go to work, hoping that we
were scheduled together. I would always flirt with you and ask “how’s your girlfriend?” you would say you did not
have one. We both knew better.
Finally on May 12, 1989 you asked me out on our first date. I accepted. After I got to know you better, you
became more than just a friend. You became my strength, my lover, and my confidant. You always seem to make me
laugh when I was down. You often denied yourself that I may have. You extended your hand to me; you would give
me your last. When I needed you most, you were always there.
I remember the time I became extremely sick and had to stay over in the hospital. You stayed by my side
and never left me alone. I remember each child birth we shared; you comforted me and held my hand tightly every
step of the way. Until this day you haven’t changed, it has been 23 years since the moment we met, and I’m so grateful
that you remain the same. I’m so grateful to God for you!
Your wife,
Teinnia, I love you.

7. How, Why, What, When, and Who?

8. “Who are you to decide that your parents do not know what is best for you?” I know you
think we are old fashioned, and don’t know anything. But, the next time you decide what is best for
you, consider these simple questions before you do. “Who will provide for you?” “What will
happen?” “What will you do without an education?” “How will you know what to do?” And “why
plot and plan to disobey?”
“How will you know what to do when situations go wrong?” Things don’t always turn out
the way we plan. As a child, you need to learn to listen to your parents, whether you like it or not,
we do know what is best for you.
“Why plot and plan to disobey and say, things like, “I can’t wait to leave, right away?” You
will learn soon enough how difficult life is. The world is full of lies, hate, sorrow, and pain.
Consider “Mother to Son” a poem by the late Langston Hughes, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal
stair. It’s had tacks in it, and splinters, and boards torn up, and places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.” (Vintage Books, 1994) Now when you walk beyond the doors of this house, we want you to
be ready for all that life have to offer. You must wait for instruction and when the time is right for
you to leave, you will know.
“What will you do without an education?” I know that we stress the importance of getting
a good education, paying attention in school, and doing your best. “Did you know that according
to statics, high school drop outs earn $9200.00 less per year per average than high school graduates
and about $1 million less over a life time than college graduates?” (Hart, P. D. The Silent
Epidemic, Perspectives of the High School Dropout, March 2006) Do your best in school! If
would you focus and exert your energy in education, you are almost promised emanate success,
higher paying jobs, and better health. Now, “How do you like them apples?”
“Who will take care of and provide for you?” Now that you are home life seems easy.
You think you got it made. Most of which is true, but when you leave home, “who will provide for
you?” We want you to understand that no one will provide and care for you like your parents. As
a teen, you are not mentally or financially able to care for yourself or personal needs. It is in your
best interest to depend on your parents.
Finally, “When will you listen to your parents?” “Can’t you understand?” We are here to
do what is best for you! To protect, educate, and provide for you. So, the next time you decide
that we do not know what’s best for you just ask yourself these simple questions; how, why, what,
when, and who?
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/177021
http://www.ignitelearning.com/pdf/TheSilentEpidemic3-06FINAL.pdf

9. The Prayer,

10. 3 John 1: 3-4
1: 3 for I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and
testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walk in the
truth.
1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk
in truth.
(NIV)
From the very first day you were born, I looked down and
prayed peacefully over you. I looked in to your beautiful brown
eyes and prayed that God’s grace would always keep and cover
you. I pray that your life be filled with hope and doubtless faith,
that you will forever have an up close and personal relationship
with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Next,
I pray that you will esteem others higher than yourselves,
incessantly praying for one another. I pray that you will chose to
walk in love, hope, peace, joy, and kindness and of all these I
pray more over that you will chose love, for love covers the
multitude of sins. Finally my children, I pray that you will continue
to walk in the truth of God. For nothing pleases my heart more

11. The Year You
Were Born…

12. The Year You Were Born…
Jah-Que McDuffie
Year 2000
President: George W. Bush II
National Population: 281,421,906
Median Household Income: $ 50,046
Super Bowl XXX III Winners: Baltimore Ravens
NBA Championship: The Los Angeles Lakers
World Series Cup: New York Yankees

13. The Year You Were Born…
Akeem McDuffie
Year 1990
President: George W. Bush, Senior
National Population: 249,438,712
Median Household Income: $ 29,943.00
# 1 Best Seller Fiction: “Oh, The Places You’ll Go”, Dr. Suess
Top 10 Music Award: “Because I Love You ( The Postman Song)” Stevie B
Super Bowl XXX Winners: New York Giants
NBA Championship: Detroit
World Series Cup: Cincinnati
Hot topics in the News: Infiniti, Saturn, and Lexus car brands hit the scene.
The latest new sitcom: Cosby Show rated # 5 most watched sitcom and The
Simpson’s aired for the first time.
Last technology: Caller ID was introduced to the public.

14. The Year You Were Born…
Elicia McDuffie
Year 1995
President: Bill Clinton
National Population: 262,764,948
Median Household Income: $ 34,076.00
# 1 Best Seller Fiction: “The Rainmaker” by John
Grisham
Top 10 Music Award: “Cracked Rearview” Hootie and
the Blowfish”
Super Bowl XXX Winners: Dallas Cowboys
NBA Championship: Huston Rockets
World Series Cup: Atlanta Braves
Hot topics in the News: Blue M&M’s added to the mix and
Michael Jordan leaves retirement to play again for the
Chicago Bulls.
http://www.1990sflashback.com

15. The Year You Were Born…
Angel McDuffie
Year 1998
President: Bill Clinton
National Population: 270,298,524
Median Household Income: $ 38,568.00
# 1 Best Seller Fiction: “The Street Lawyer”
Top 10 Music Award: “The Boy is Mine” Brandy and Monica
Super Bowl XXX III Winners: Denver Broncos
NBA Championship: Chicago Bulls
World Series Cup: New York Yankees
Hot topics in the News: Rugrats and Teletubbies were the latest child
centered educational shows and Furby was popular most popular toy.
http://censtats.census.gov/data/US/01000.pdf