Mama always wanted him to learn things. Though she didn't have much education herself, she taught him all she knew-the numbers, the way to spell, how to add…
When he went blind at the age of seven, Mama found a school for the blind in St. Augustine, far from his home. Although his reaction to leaving Mama was a big fat NO, he eventually gave in. Mama knew what was best, and she get some education in one form or another. She couldn't see him growing up without knowing how to read or write. __________
During the couple of months before leaving home, he was treated the same as a normal child. Fact is, he was made to do the housework he had done when he could see, chopping wood and washing clothes, like other kids.
Neighbours gave Mama a hard time. They got on her case when they saw him helping her in the house. "I'm not always gonna be with you."
He couldn't tell how many times she must have repeated these words. Still, they didn't start meaning anything until he heard the thing at school when he was fifteen.
It came as a shock and kept attacking his brain. People told him he was going home, and he went. He couldn't eat; food seemed to expand in his throat; he couldn't sleep. All he could think was why Mama couldn't kiss him any more. Everyone started worrying about him.
Then a respectable woman came to see him. She knew her business, and she let him have it:
"Boy, don't you remember what your mama told you? You know the things she tried to teach you. You've been acting like a crazy boy, and, if she was here, she wouldn't stand it. Your mama spent her whole life preparing you for this day. You've got to carry on. That's what she'd want. And that's what you should do.
That did it Years later, he became a highly successful musician. His music has inspired many people, including other musicians. During his career, he received twelve Grammy Awards and his name "Ray Charles" appeared in the Rock and Roll Hal of Fame.
As Mama had expected, being blind wasn't gonna stop him anyway.
