Happy Birhday Nellie

As you celebrate one more year making this your 87th birthday, I take my hat of to you and, thank God for being so kind and giving me the privilege of knowing you the way that I do. When I first met you, I knew that there was something special about you. I watched you support your husband in everything that he did all the way up to and even after his death. I saw you as a strong black women sitting on top of Richmond Hill Avenue supporting your community, advising both adults and youth on how to be good citizens, advocating education and a good work ethic. As an Eastern Star, you are a leader of women and always had a level head. You maintained your dignity, respect and character whether you were wearing the hat of a member or as The Worthy Matron. You always did what was right and I respect you and love you for that. You have received many awards and citations for the work you have done in Stamford and the State of Connecticut while at the same time you have affected hundreds of lives behind the scenes and seek nothing in return.
You saw something in Ina and me and adopted us as your children. When times got rough for me you were there with kind words of encouragement, advice, prayers and even money I am grateful to you for everything. Because of you I have moved on to continue my education at the University of Phoenix and when I graduate in January It will be because of your words of reason and your mild but stern encouragement. You are my guardian angel, full of knowledge and wisdom with a keen ability to take nothing for granted. You claim to have a stick somewhere around the house that you will use on me, or anyone you love that fails to meet their unique capabilities due to laziness, lack of motivation or down right stupidity. Your faith in God and strong Christian beliefs has afforded you the ability to be nonjudgmental and find the good in everyone. You Nellie Lockhart are a great women and I love you.
To this day at the age of 87 you still somehow manage to continue touch the lives of people around you. What the black community of Stamford lost in your moving the good people of Center Cross have gained a leader, a good neighbor, and an honest friend. You never cease to amaze me with your ability to know what is going on in Stamford and for that matter in Connecticut before most of us who actual live here in Connecticut know. We can call you in Virginia and get the scoop on the pressing issues that occur in Connecticut, which speaks wonders for your network of friends, communication and devotion you have for the relationships you have developed over the years.
Mrs. Lockhart, Sister Lockhart, Nellie, and Mom you have been all these labels at one time or another for me. I have called you Mrs. Lockhart as the wife of my best friend Ralph, Sister Lockhart because you are my Masonic sister, Nellie because you are my friend, and, Mom because you have accepted me and treated me as if I am your son. Happy Birthday, I Love You.