A tribute to my Mom - Levita Anderson

This is a tribute to my mother, Levita Anderson. Without her there would have never been dance lessons, piano lessons, violin, singing, acting, writing, watching films, reading comics, and so much more than I could ever list. All on a shoestring budget, and as a single parent. I always call her Levita and our relationship has never wavered because of semantics. She is my most trusted friend.

When I was younger, I believed that every child had the same childhood. I thought that everyone had to go to school to achieve something great. I thought every child had a grandmother who took them to plays and musicals. I remember going to see Dionne Warwick and Johnny Mathis in Concert at the Chicago Theatre when I was about 10 years old. My grandfather took me to my first of many operas and documentary films while growing up. Every Holy Week, my mom and I would listen to Jesus Christ Superstar with the full libretto so that we could follow the lyrics (even though my mom knew them by heart). I thought every mom was a die hard Star Trek and Star Wars fan.

I can watch all of the Marvel Comic films fully aware of what should and should not be occurring because my mom was an avid collector of Marvel comics throughout my entire childhood and teen years. Those stories stretched my imagination and my realization that comic characters are reflections of real life.

My love for books is attributed to the fact that we had more books than furniture. I remember taking them outside with me while I was playing softball and no one said a thing, well not to my face anyway. My mind was exposed to Mice and Men, the Outsiders, The Hobbit, Nancy Drew, the Three Investigators, Encyclopedia Brown, Little Women, and many more. I went to the library each Saturday, alone, and would watch old Disney movies, sit and listen to records (LP’s), and then read all the books I wanted until the place closed.

Each step that this journey, I call life has taken me on, my mom has been there. She has provided hard to hear advice. She has also supported me in decisions that would make most parents shudder. She is also never afraid to always tell me the truth no matter what! The only way I know to repay her is to always be my best self and to never give up. So I don’t. Each of the stories in this blog, my Confessions of a Single Parent Actress, is only possible because God gave me to her.

So I want to take this moment to pass on some sage Levita advice. Never settle for less in your relationships with yourself and with others. You can be the exception no matter what people tell you or where you parents fail. You can always come home. Take time to enjoy yourself. No one can do more than they know, but after awhile they should eventually know better. Never let anyone tell you what is best for you because that is a conversation that only you can have with yourself and God.

I can never thank you or love you enough, but always know that I am eternally grateful that you are always my mother, Maya’s grandmother, and always in my corner. Happy Mother’s Day!