My mother had many great qualities but one that always fascinated me was her innate ability to adjust to the audience. Miss Addie had an 8th grade education (Roosevelt Jr. HS) but one would never guess it. Because of my relationships and work, she was often in the company of educators, clergy and medical people. All presumed that she, too, was very well-educated. Additionally, we spent considerable time with friends, neighbours and family who had a paucity of formal schooling. Regardless of who they were, what level of learning, where they came from or where they were going, she was skilled at “fitting in.” The topics of conversation, the use of language, the shift in vernacular were always remarkably smooth and designed to make others comfortable. When visiting from Trinidad, my Uncle Cecil (Dad’s side) stated that “Adelaide is the only one without an accent!” She knew how to welcome the Dean from my University and my students from the inner city with equal grace and charm. They all wanted to return to her home because she was so much like them. There was nothing put on … it was just a natural phenomenon and I doubt she had a clue that this was just who she was. She always made me proud of her.