I grew up in Shelby, N.C., and was the middle of three children. I had an old sister, Cissy, and a younger brother, Bo.
The problem was that some relatives and at least one teacher compared me unfavorably with my sister. I felt I lived in her shadow. That wouldn’t have been so bad except that Cissy was extremely good and very smart – a powerful combination.
The crisis came when I was in the eighth grade and brought home a bad report card and a bad note from the principal. But what my dad did for me that day – he didn’t say was, “Nell, why can’t you do right? Why can’t you take advantage of your opportunities? Why can’t you be more like your sister?”
Instead, he said, “Something’s been troubling you. Do you want to tell me what it is?”
Suddenly, I blurted out, “Daddy, I can’t be like Cissy.”