Hi|NNP my|PRP$ name|NN is|VBZ Sandra|NNP Reid|NNP and|CC I|PRP am|VBP part|NN of|IN a|DT family|NN of|IN seven|CD children|NNS ,|, um|NN ,|, and|CC my|PRP$ mom|NN and|CC dad|NN have|VBP passed|VBN away|RB .|. 
During|IN our|PRP$ young|JJ years|NNS we|PRP were|VBD very|RB poor|JJ .|. 
We|PRP did|VBD not|RB have|VB very|RB much|RB but|CC my|PRP$ mom|NN always|RB found|VBD a|DT way|NN to|TO keep|VB us|PRP busy|JJ or|CC keep|VB us|PRP entertained|VBD ,|, and|CC one|CD of|IN the|DT ways|NNS that|IN she|PRP kept|VBD us|PRP entertained|VBD was|VBD by|IN telling|VBG stories|NNS ,|, reading|NN poems|NNS ,|, and|CC singing|VBG to|TO us|PRP .|. 
One|CD of|IN the|DT stories|NNS that|IN I|PRP would|MD like|VB to|TO share|VB with|IN you|PRP is|VBZ the|DT story|NN that|WDT is|VBZ pretty|RB scary|JJ and|CC it|PRP sticks|VBZ out|IN into|IN my|PRP$ mind|NN ,|, I|PRP guess|VBP ,|, mostly|RB ,|, mainly|RB because|IN it|PRP was|VBD scary|JJ .|. 
Even|RB though|IN my|PRP$ mom|NN told|VBD us|PRP lot|NN of|IN scary|JJ stories|NNS she|PRP was|VBD always|RB there|EX to|TO hold|VB us|PRP in|IN her|PRP$ arms|NNS and|CC let|VB us|PRP know|VB that|IN the|DT story|NN was|VBD not|RB true|JJ and|CC that|IN it|PRP was|VBD we|PRP were|VBD OK|JJ .|. 
Out|IN of|IN all|DT of|IN my|PRP$ sisters|NNS and|CC brothers|NNS I|PRP was|VBD the|DT laziest|NN one|CD of|IN all|DT ,|, as|RB far|RB as|IN working|VBG around|IN the|DT house|NN .|. 
All|DT of|IN my|PRP$ sisters|NNS learned|VBD to|TO cook|VB by|IN the|DT age|NN of|IN eight|CD .|. 
I|PRP learned|VBD after|IN I|PRP got|VBD married|VBN so|IN I|PRP was|VBD a|DT pretty|RB lazy|JJ child|NN when|WRB it|PRP came|VBD down|RB to|TO cleaning|VBG up|RP and|CC cooking|NN .|. 
So|RB one|CD night|NN my|PRP$ mother|NN asked|VBD me|PRP to|TO go|VB inside|IN and|CC wash|VB the|DT dishes|NNS .|. 
Naturally|RB ,|, I|PRP start|VBP crying|VBG ,|, and|CC one|CD of|IN my|PRP$ main|JJ ways|NNS of|IN getting|VBG out|IN of|IN work|NN was|VBD always|RB saying|VBG something|NN hurt|VBD me|PRP ,|, either|CC my|PRP$ stomach|NN ,|, or|CC that|IN I|PRP had|VBD a|DT headache|NN ,|, or|CC something|NN was|VBD wrong|JJ with|IN my|PRP$ leg|NN .|. 
Just|RB anything|NN to|TO get|VB out|IN of|IN doing|VBG my|PRP$ job|NN .|. 
So|RB after|IN she|PRP noticed|VBD that|IN I|PRP was|VBD going|VBG to|TO be|VB just|RB a|DT little|RB stubborn|JJ and|CC not|RB follow|VB ,|, do|VBP what|WP she|PRP tell|VBP told|VBD me|PRP to|TO do|VB ,|, she|PRP asked|VBD me|PRP to|TO come|VB around|IN in|IN the|DT living|VBG room|NN with|IN her|PRP$ and|CC the|DT rest|NN of|IN the|DT family|NN .|. 
So|IN she|PRP began|VBD to|TO tell|VB this|DT story|NN .|. 
Once|RB upon|IN a|DT time|NN there|EX was|VBD this|DT little|JJ girl|NN and|CC her|PRP$ family|NN .|. 
And|CC the|DT mother|NN asked|VBD the|DT little|JJ girl|NN to|TO please|VB go|VB in|IN and|CC wash|VB the|DT dishes|NNS so|IN that|IN she|PRP could|MD go|VB to|TO bed|NN early|JJ and|CC not|RB come|VB up|RP ,|, wake|NN up|RB in|IN the|DT morning|NN and|CC see|VB all|PDT those|DT dishes|NNS on|IN the|DT table|NN .|. 
And|CC her|PRP$ little|JJ girl|NN just|RB complained|VBD ,|, "|'' I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB want|VB to|TO wash|VB the|DT dishes|NNS .|. 
I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB want|VB to|TO .|. 
My|PRP$ leg|NN hurts|VBZ ,|, my|PRP$ head|NN hurts|VBZ .|. 
I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB feel|VB good|JJ .|. "|'' 
The|DT little|JJ girl|NN disappointed|VBD her|PRP$ mother|NN so|RB badly|RB ,|, but|CC her|PRP$ mother|NN said|VBD ,|, "|'' How|WRB in|IN the|DT world|NN am|VBP I|PRP ever|RB going|VBG to|TO get|VB her|PRP to|TO wash|VB these|DT dishes|NNS ?|. "|'' 
So|IN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' Little|NNP girl|NN ,|, little|JJ girl|NN ,|, if|IN you|PRP do|VBP n't|RB go|VB in|IN there|EX and|CC wash|VB those|DT dishes|NNS like|IN I|PRP asked|VBD ,|, you|PRP something|NN really|RB ,|, really|RB bad|JJ is|VBZ going|VBG to|TO happen|VB to|TO you|PRP .|. "|'' 
So|IN the|DT little|JJ girl|NN just|RB said|VBD ,|, "|'' OK|JJ I|PRP 'll|MD go|VB in|IN there|EX and|CC wash|VB the|DT dishes|NNS .|. "|'' 
And|CC she|PRP was|VBD in|IN there|EX stomping|VBG and|CC crying|VBG and|CC mad|JJ and|CC taking|VBG all|DT her|PRP$ good|JJ time|NN .|. 
All|DT of|IN a|DT sudden|JJ the|DT butcher|NN knife|NN came|VBD out|IN of|IN the|DT drawer|NN and|CC it|PRP began|VBD to|TO roll|VB around|IN in|IN the|DT air|NN .|. 
And|CC before|IN you|PRP know|VBP it|PRP ,|, the|DT butcher|NN knife|NN came|VBD around|IN and|CC cut|VB the|DT little|JJ girl|NN 's|POS head|NN off|RP .|. 
And|CC when|WRB the|DT little|JJ girl|NN went|VBD to|TO heaven|NN she|PRP was|VBD crying|VBG down|RB to|TO her|PRP$ dad|NN and|CC saying|VBG "|'' Daddy|NNP ,|, Daddy|NNP !|. 
Mama|NNP cut|VBD my|PRP$ head|NN off|RP with|IN the|DT butcher|NN knife|NN .|. "|'' 
Now|RB that|DT knife|NN ,|, when|WRB I|PRP went|VBD to|TO sleep|VB it|PRP really|RB scared|VBD me|PRP .|. 
But|CC the|DT wonderful|JJ thing|NN about|IN it|PRP my|PRP$ mom|NN was|VBD always|RB there|RB close|VB by|IN to|TO let|VB me|PRP know|VB that|IN I|PRP was|VBD OK|JJ .|. 
Now|RB after|IN that|DT ,|, my|PRP$ mother|NN continued|VBD to|TO tell|VB us|PRP many|JJ ,|, many|JJ scary|JJ stories|NNS and|CC tell|VB us|PRP many|JJ ,|, many|JJ ,|, many|JJ poems|NNS .|. 
I|PRP 'd|MD like|VB to|TO tell|VB you|PRP about|IN how|WRB I|PRP got|VBD into|IN becoming|VBG a|DT teacher|NN 's|POS assistant|NN .|. 
All|DT my|PRP$ life|NN I|PRP always|RB wanted|VBD to|TO be|VB a|DT teacher|NN even|RB from|IN the|DT time|NN I|PRP started|VBD to|TO school|VB .|. 
That|DT was|VBD my|PRP$ dream|NN ,|, to|TO teach|VB school|NN .|. 
As|IN I|PRP told|VBD you|PRP ,|, in|IN the|DT past|JJ we|PRP were|VBD a|DT very|RB poor|JJ family|NN and|CC I|PRP never|RB got|VBD the|DT chance|NN to|TO go|VB to|TO college|NN because|IN of|IN this|DT .|. 
Uh|NNP ,|, while|IN I|PRP was|VBD in|IN high|JJ school|NN a|DT teacher|NN of|IN mine|NN noticed|VBD that|IN I|PRP had|VBD an|DT extra|JJ bone|NN in|IN my|PRP$ foot|NN and|CC she|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' Well|RB now|RB Sandra|NNP we|PRP can|MD use|VB this|DT as|IN get|VB toward|IN ,|, on|IN your|PRP$ grant|NN to|TO go|VB to|TO college|NN .|. "|'' 
So|IN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' Go|VB home|NN and|CC talk|NN to|TO your|PRP$ mother|NN about|IN it|PRP and|CC see|VB if|IN we|PRP ,|, you|PRP know|VBP ,|, can|MD follow|VB through|IN with|IN applying|VBG for|IN a|DT grant|NN ,|, scholarship|NN grant|NN for|IN you|PRP .|. "|'' 
So|RB that|DT night|NN I|PRP went|VBD home|NN and|CC I|PRP asked|VBD my|PRP$ mother|NN about|IN it|PRP and|CC she|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' Baby|NNP ,|, I|PRP really|RB want|VBP you|PRP to|TO go|VB to|TO college|NN .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ always|RB been|VBN my|PRP$ dream|NN that|IN my|PRP$ children|NNS all|DT go|VBP to|TO school|VB .|. 
But|CC because|IN there|EX are|VBP so|RB many|JJ children|NNS in|IN the|DT family|NN there|EX are|VBP other|JJ things|NNS you|PRP 're|VBP going|VBG to|TO have|VB to|TO have|VB to|TO go|VB to|TO school|VB and|CC I|PRP just|RB do|VBP n't|RB have|VB the|DT money|NN .|. "|'' 
At|IN that|DT time|NN my|PRP$ dad|NN was|VBD in|IN prison|NN at|IN the|DT time|NN ,|, so|IN it|PRP made|VBD it|PRP really|RB hard|RB for|IN my|PRP$ mom|NN .|. 
I|PRP sat|VBD there|EX and|CC I|PRP cried|JJ but|CC I|PRP tried|VBD to|TO be|VB as|RB understanding|NN as|IN possible|JJ because|IN I|PRP knew|VBD my|PRP$ mother|NN struggled|VBD really|RB hard|JJ to|TO even|RB keep|VB food|NN on|IN the|DT table|NN for|IN us|PRP .|. 
So|IN I|PRP never|RB got|VBD a|DT chance|NN to|TO go|VB to|TO school|VB .|. 
Did|VBD anybody|NN ?|. 
Yes|UH ,|, my|PRP$ brother|NN went|VBD to|TO school|VB .|. 
He|PRP went|VBD to|TO Livingstone|NNP and|CC then|RB to|TO transferred|VBN to|TO Johnson|NNP C.|NN Smith|NNP ,|, so|RB to|TO make|VB it|PRP easier|RBR on|IN my|PRP$ mom|NN ,|, to|TO ,|, as|RB far|RB as|RB ,|, you|PRP know|VBP ,|, him|PRP staying|VBG at|IN home|NN and|CC going|VBG to|TO school|VB too|RB .|. 
So|IN he|PRP graduated|VBD from|IN ,|, um|NN ,|, Johnson|NNP C.|NN Smith|NNP ,|, here|RB in|IN Charlotte|NNP .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD another|DT sister|NN who|WP went|VBD to|TO Gaston|NNP College|NNP where|WRB she|PRP got|VBD a|DT business|NN degree|NN there|RB .|. 
I|PRP ,|, in|IN later|JJ years|NNS ,|, I|PRP went|VBD on|IN to|TO college|NN some|DT but|CC I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB complete|VB the|DT ,|, uh|UH ,|, whole|JJ four|CD years|NNS .|. 
Um|NNP ,|, I|PRP remember|VBP once|RB ,|, when|WRB I|PRP was|VBD working|VBG in|IN a|DT mill|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP was|VBD spinning|JJ yarn|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP was|VBD saying|VBG to|TO myself|PRP ,|, and|CC ,|, I|PRP was|VBD praying|VBG actually|RB ,|, and|CC I|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' God|NNP ,|, one|CD day|NN I|PRP want|VBP to|TO work|VB in|IN the|DT school|NN system|NN .|. 
If|IN I|PRP could|MD just|RB work|VB ,|, even|RB as|IN a|DT teacher|NN assistant|NN I|PRP would|MD be|VB happy|JJ .|. "|'' 
As|IN the|DT years|NNS went|VBD by|IN my|PRP$ prayer|NN was|VBD answered|VBN and|CC I|PRP got|VBD the|DT chance|NN to|TO work|VB in|IN the|DT cafeteria|NN as|IN a|DT cashier|NN and|CC the|DT principal|JJ there|EX came|VBD up|IN to|TO me|PRP and|CC said|VBD ,|, "|'' Have|VBP you|PRP considered|VBD being|VBG a|DT teacher|NN assistant|NN ?|. "|'' 
I|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' I|PRP would|MD love|VB to|TO .|. "|'' 
So|IN they|PRP told|VBD me|PRP about|IN some|DT classes|NNS that|IN I|PRP could|MD take|VB at|IN Central|NNP Piedmont|NNP .|. 
I|PRP 'd|MD never|RB gone|VBN to|TO college|NN before|RB .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD really|RB afraid|JJ .|. 
But|CC he|PRP told|VBD me|PRP to|TO go|VB ahead|RB and|CC try|VB it|PRP ,|, so|IN I|PRP took|VBD the|DT entrance|NN test|NN ,|, and|CC they|PRP accepted|VBD me|PRP into|IN at|IN the|DT school|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP took|VBD some|DT courses|NNS there|RB .|. 
After|IN a|DT while|NN ,|, the|DT principal|NN said|VBD ,|, "|'' I|PRP would|MD like|VB for|IN you|PRP to|TO bring|VB me|PRP your|PRP$ ,|, um|NN ,|, transcript|NN so|IN I|PRP can|MD see|VB what|WP your|PRP$ grades|NNS are|VBP like|IN .|. "|'' 
Luckily|NNP I|PRP had|VBD all|PDT A|NNP 's|NNP .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD very|RB well|RB .|. 
And|CC he|PRP asked|VBD me|PRP to|TO be|VB a|DT teacher|NN assistant|NN the|DT next|JJ following|NN year|NN .|. 
Um|NNP ,|, my|PRP$ dream|NN ,|, my|PRP$ prayers|NNS were|VBD answered|VBN .|. 
I|PRP enjoy|VBP my|PRP$ job|NN very|RB much|RB .|. 
I|PRP ca|MD n't|RB think|VB of|IN any|DT job|NN that|WDT would|MD make|VB me|PRP any|DT happier|JJR .|. 
A|DT few|JJ years|NNS later|RB ,|, um|NN ,|, I|PRP had|VBD the|DT opportunity|NN to|TO apply|VB for|IN a|DT scholarship|NN to|TO further|VB my|PRP$ education|NN .|. 
At|IN first|JJ I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB want|VB to|TO apply|VB for|IN it|PRP ,|, but|CC the|DT principal|JJ called|VBN me|PRP during|IN the|DT summer|NN months|NNS and|CC said|VBD ,|, "|'' Sandra|NNP the|DT time|NN is|VBZ running|VBG out|IN ,|, you|PRP need|VBP to|TO apply|VB .|. "|'' 
And|CC he|PRP told|VBD me|PRP I|PRP would|MD have|VB to|TO write|VB this|DT paper|NN .|. 
Well|RB I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB like|VB writing|VBG at|IN the|DT time|NN but|CC I|PRP took|VBD it|PRP upon|IN myself|PRP to|TO go|VB ahead|RB and|CC write|VB a|DT paper|NN .|. 
And|CC I|PRP went|VBD to|TO ,|, um|NN ,|, one|CD of|IN my|PRP$ staff|NN members|NNS and|CC I|PRP asked|VBD her|PRP if|IN she|PRP would|MD proofread|NN it|PRP ,|, and|CC she|PRP thought|VBD it|PRP was|VBD an|DT excellent|JJ paper|NN .|. 
And|CC I|PRP went|VBD ahead|RB and|CC mailed|VBD it|PRP in|IN thinking|VBG uh|UH I|PRP wo|MD n't|RB get|VB the|DT scholarship|NN .|. 
Who|WP cares|VBZ ?|. 
I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB ,|, just|RB so|IN I|PRP can|MD work|VB in|IN the|DT school|NN I|PRP 'll|MD be|VB happy|JJ .|. 
But|CC one|CD day|NN I|PRP came|VBD in|IN and|CC I|PRP looked|VBD at|IN my|PRP$ mail|NN and|CC I|PRP was|VBD accepted|VBN .|. 
I|PRP could|MD n't|RB believe|VB it|PRP .|. 
Out|IN of|IN 150|CD assistants|NNS who|WP had|VBD applied|VBN for|IN this|DT grant|NN only|RB 16|CD got|VBD the|DT opportunity|NN ,|, so|IN I|PRP felt|VBD very|RB proud|JJ of|IN myself|PRP .|. 
So|IN I|PRP went|VBD on|IN and|CC took|VBD the|DT courses|NNS ,|, and|CC as|IN I|PRP started|VBD I|PRP think|VBP I|PRP was|VBD taking|VBG economics|NNS .|. 
I|PRP think|VBP that|WDT was|VBD the|DT last|JJ class|NN I|PRP took|VBD .|. 
My|PRP$ husband|NN became|VBD very|RB ill|JJ with|IN cancer|NN and|CC I|PRP had|VBD to|TO make|VB a|DT decision|NN as|IN to|TO whether|IN I|PRP would|MD continue|VB my|PRP$ education|NN or|CC take|VB care|NN of|IN him|PRP and|CC I|PRP felt|VBD like|IN I|PRP needed|VBD to|TO take|VB care|NN of|IN him|PRP because|IN he|PRP stood|VBD by|IN me|PRP so|RB much|JJ while|IN I|PRP was|VBD going|VBG to|TO school|VB .|. 
But|CC you|PRP would|MD have|VB been|VBN able|JJ to|TO be|VB a|DT ,|, a|DT teacher|NN if|IN you|PRP had|VBD continued|VBN ?|. 
Yeah|UH ,|, and|CC at|IN the|DT time|NN ,|, I|PRP was|VBD also|RB working|VBG in|IN the|DT classroom|NN .|. 
I|PRP guess|VBP you|PRP 'd|MD say|VB as|IN a|DT sub|NN because|IN the|DT teacher|NN that|IN I|PRP was|VBD working|VBG with|IN at|IN that|DT time|NN was|VBD pregnant|JJ and|CC she|PRP had|VBD to|TO take|VB a|DT leave|NN of|IN absence|NN .|. 
And|CC they|PRP hired|VBD a|DT sub|NN but|CC the|DT sub|NN did|VBD n't|RB do|VB that|DT much|JJ .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD to|TO take|VB over|IN the|DT classroom|NN .|. 
So|IN I|PRP worked|VBD maybe|RB like|IN four|CD months|NNS in|IN the|DT classroom|NN and|CC that|IN highly|RB put|VB a|DT damper|NN on|IN my|PRP$ wanting|VBG to|TO be|VB a|DT teacher|NN from|IN all|PDT the|DT responsibility|NN along|IN with|IN the|DT fact|NN that|IN I|PRP was|VBD taking|VBG care|NN of|IN a|DT very|RB sick|JJ husband|NN .|. 
After|IN all|DT of|IN this|DT was|VBD ,|, after|IN I|PRP ,|, I|PRP decided|VBD not|RB to|TO continue|VB I|PRP 've|VBP never|RB pursued|VBN the|DT fact|NN of|IN going|VBG back|RB to|TO school|VB .|. 
I|PRP just|RB got|VBD to|TO a|DT certain|JJ age|NN and|CC I|PRP said|VBD ,|, "|'' No|DT I|PRP ca|MD n't|RB do|VB this|DT anymore|RB ,|, "|'' so|IN I|PRP never|RB went|VBD back|RB .|. 
But|CC I|PRP love|VBP what|WP I|PRP do|VBP and|CC ,|, uh|UH ,|, anytime|RB I|PRP get|VBP a|DT chance|NN to|TO teach|VB in|IN a|DT classroom|NN I|PRP go|VBP for|IN it|PRP so|RB .|. 
How|WRB many|JJ different|JJ schools|NNS did|VBD you|PRP teach|VBP at|RP ?|. 
I|PRP 've|VBP only|RB worked|VBN at|IN two|CD ,|, two|CD schools|NNS .|. 
The|DT first|JJ school|NN I|PRP worked|VBD at|IN was|VBD Enderly|NNP Park|NNP and|CC then|RB it|PRP was|VBD closed|VBN down|IN .|. 
So|IN I|PRP was|VBD in|IN those|DT situations|NNS where|WRB I|PRP first|JJ ,|, come|VB first|JJ ,|, transfer|VB last|JJ ,|, come|VB first|JJ to|TO transfer|VB out|RP .|. 
So|IN I|PRP had|VBD to|TO ,|, I|PRP was|VBD offered|VBN a|DT job|NN at|IN Ashley|NNP Park|NNP or|CC Berryhill|NNP and|CC I|PRP chose|VBD Berryhill|NNP .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB particularly|RB want|VB to|TO come|VB here|RB and|CC when|WRB I|PRP came|VBD here|RB everybody|NN noticed|VBD that|IN I|PRP was|VBD really|RB ,|, really|RB sad|JJ because|IN I|PRP loved|VBD being|VBG at|IN Enderly|NNP Park|NNP .|. 
But|CC then|RB ,|, after|IN awhile|RB ,|, I|PRP fell|VBD in|IN love|NN with|IN Berryhill|NNP .|. 
If|IN I|PRP 'm|VBP not|RB mistaken|VBN I|PRP think|VBP I|PRP 've|VBP been|VBN at|IN Berryhill|NNP for|IN I|PRP think|VBP 17|CD years|NNS ,|, 17|CD ,|, 18|CD years|NNS I|PRP 've|VBP been|VBN here|RB at|IN Berryhill|NNP so|RB and|CC I|PRP hope|VBP I|PRP never|RB have|VBP to|TO leave|VB until|IN I|PRP retire|VBP .|. 
And|CC why|WRB did|VBD the|DT other|JJ school|NN close|NN down|RB ?|. 
Um|NNP ,|, the|DT ,|, you|PRP know|VBP ,|, I|PRP really|RB do|VBP n't|RB know|VB .|. 
Um|NNP ,|, that|RB ,|, I|PRP really|RB do|VBP n't|RB know|VB why|WRB they|PRP closed|VBD that|DT school|NN down|RB because|IN it|PRP was|VBD a|DT really|RB nice|JJ school|NN and|CC everything|NN ,|, but|CC they|PRP eventually|RB tore|VBD it|PRP down|RB because|IN I|PRP was|VBD there|EX I|PRP think|VBP the|DT first|JJ year|NN I|PRP went|VBD there|EX was|VBD the|DT year|NN they|PRP built|VBD a|DT really|RB nice|JJ gym|NN ,|, and|CC I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB think|VB they|PRP used|VBD that|DT gym|NN no|RB more|JJR than|IN three|CD years|NNS .|. 
I|PRP really|RB do|VBP n't|RB ,|, I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB remember|VB why|WRB that|DT school|NN was|VBD ever|RB closed|VBN but|CC it|PRP was|VBD .|. 
And|CC I|PRP enjoy|VBP what|WP I|PRP do|VBP .|. 
That|DT 's|VBZ it|PRP .|. 
All|DT right|NN thank|VB you|PRP .|. 
Thank|VB you|PRP .|. 
