Without Vivian, Grant would never have found the strength and courage to overcome the "impossible task" he was faced with. She was always there for Grant with words of encouragement, love, and support that helped Grant get through the tough times he faced. She never turned down Grant's requests when she felt he was truly in need of a shoulder to cry on, or if he needed someone to talk to. She also put Grant's needs before her own without much thought or any selfish reasons. She did all this willingly and out of her love for him. Vivian also endured much pain for Grant because of her great love for him. Her patience made Grant's "blindness" and selfishness more bearable, and so, she found in her heart, the love to turn this resentment into compassion and understanding. Vivian was a woman of character and without her, Jefferson would never have become the hope that the black community desperately needed.
From the very beginning, Grant had always turned to Vivian for a shoulder to lean on, for moral support, as well as for encouragement - it's no wonder that it was she who influenced Grant the most - "I want you to come to me, Grant, I want you to always come to me." Pg. 31. Grant had never openly talked to Tante Lou or Miss Emma about his feelings on how he didn't want to go teach Jefferson - "I stood back from the table and looked at the both of them. I clamped my jaws so tight the veins in my neck felt as if they would burst." Pg. 14. It was Vivian who took the time and listened to Grant, and gently persuaded him to go teach Jefferson to walk like a man, even though it was clear that Grant felt it was too late to make a difference in Jefferson's life. "I want you to go up there, if they say yes, I want you to go for me. For us, Grant." Pg. 32. Vivian was always there for Grant. She was there to lend an ear when Grant felt stifled by the burden Miss Emma and Tante Lou placed on his shoulders.
