I had set about trying to make myself more polished than a country boy would be. Charles M. Blow More Quotes by Charles M. Blow More Quotes From Charles M. Blow Often, those with the most to lose as a result of a poor policy move are the most vulnerable and most marginalized. Those folks need a voice, and I will endeavor to be that voice. Charles M. Blow lose result poor voice The first memory I have in the world is of death and tears. That is how I would mark the beginning of my life: the way people mark the end of one. My family had gathered at Papa Joe's house because Mam' Grace was slipping away, only I didn't register it that way. For some reason I thought that it was her birthday. Charles M. Blow family birthday life death My mother was a stout woman with a man's name - Billie. She was plain-faced with honest eyes - no black grease by the lash line, no blue powder on the lids, eyebrows not plucked up high and thin. Charles M. Blow woman eyes man mother