Born Anita Christine Dickerson, she is known as just Chrissi. In 1970, The Dickersons moved to Orchard Avenue in Yeadon when Chrissi was just 2 years old.

“My parents thought it was such a wonderful street, warm and cozy. A perfect place for kids,” Chrissi said.

James and Emily were happy to bring up their two girls and one boy on the block of twin homes. As the Dickersons began to integrate into the neighborhood, it became quite evident that the Dickerson home was to be the heart of Orchard Avenue.

“It was my mother who drew all of the attention. Her smile lit up the block. And she was kind to the point of sacrifice. Everyone could count on my mother. She would always say that a smile is free. And, although I was painfully shy, she wanted me to reflect her kindness, her warmth.”

Just a few years ago, Chrissi was forced to come out of her shell because her mother passed away from cancer. Tragically, her brother and father had passed away from illnesses not long before.

“It seemed like a black cloud had descended on the Dickerson household. I thought I wouldn’t make it after they died.”

Chrissi tried to continue her mother’s legacy of kindness. She wanted to warm the block with sunny smiles, kind words, and a helping hand.

“There is no doube that Emily was a positive force on the block. She was a block parent. Kids knew our house was safe and often migrated to our home for cold drinks, a game of tag, or jump rope marathons.”

But, after her mother’s untimely death, Chrissi was unable to make herself act any differently than she felt. “I remember there were so many people at my mom’s funeral that it was standing room only. Neighbors, childhood friends, and family just assumed I would just continue my mother’s legacy of being the block’s sunshine. It was nothing official, I know. But, I knew everyone expected it.”

Still a resident of the same home, Chrissi really couldn’t put on a smile that her mother was known for.

“I felt like I dropped the ball. I was so distraught over my mother, father, and brother that I may have shut down.”

And her body forced her to shut down for real. Shortly after her mother’s death, Chrissi became extremely ill. Near death, she was put on life support for several weeks. Neighbors, friends, and family made daily trips to the hospital. Everyone tried to convey to her that she couldn’t leave the earth because she had to continue her mother’s legacy of kindness.

“My family and friends wanted me to know that helping others was the only way to live my best life,” she said. “Although I was unconscious, and couldn’t’ hear their words, I am sure my spirit was moved. And, through a miracle, I recovered.”

Chrissi spent just a few weeks at her sister’s house out of town so that she could recover her strength. “When I felt strong enough, I asked my sister to take me to Orchard Avenue.”

Now, just a year later, a spitting image of her mother, Chrissi is back on Orchard Avenue, handing out warm smiles, kind words, and a helping hand.

“Those things are still free,” she said.