I’m still here. There are so many things that perplex me that I want weigh in on.
I’m saddened, disturbed, and disgusted by the treatment of runner Caster Semenya, but since I am scheduled to give a talk on her situation, I’ll save my comments for that.
I want to thank everyone who participated in the secret surprise baby shower. Thank you sooooo much for your contributions.
I am elated about the revamping of the prayer ministry at my church and my participation in it. I may not be one to offer too much counseling, but I can send up timber and get a response.
I have no idea in which direction my life is headed and I’m becoming more peaceful with not knowing all of the details. If I knew what I’d have to go through to get where I want, I’d probably tell God never mind, so it’s for the best that I know not everything.
I am all over the place because I have so much to say and no clear plan for saying it.
Have you ever had a relationship with someone that was unremarkable and you later wondered, “What did I ever do that for?” That’s how I feel about my summer fling. Completely unremarkable. We barely chat now even though I think he believes that we will potentially reconnect again. I know for certain that we will not. IF he only knew.
Oh yeah. I want to weigh in on Whitney and how proud I am of her for re-emerging back in her right mind. I am happy for her daughter as well who is for the first time meeting a drug-free mommy. God ROCKS!!!
I also thought it funny how Oprah just gave up on rephrasing Whitney’s references to God and the Holy Spirit to say “Spirit.” LOL Whitney knew what she meant and that’s exactly what she said. I’m glad God and reading His Word got her through, and I’m also glad she went through and came out to be a beacon of light to so many others. I pray that she can maintain her victory. And I thank God for praying mommas because I know my own has seen me out of many a bind as Whitney’s mother’s prayers saw her through.
Hooray for Whitney!!!
Also, I think it ironic that my cousins and their children call me Cousin A and feel some kind of way when they hear me reference my sister as my sister–who shares no parents or familial relationship with me. To me, she is my sister, period, and that’s a closer relationship than cousin. My children will call her aunt. Additionally, my bff’s children were trained to call me auntie before ever meeting me and I’ve already committed to do more for them than I probably will for any in my own family. It’s all about relationship, and to them, I am their aunt, which is a closer kinship than cousin. Some family members take relationship for granted as though it’s not something that has to be developed, but if you want special favors and treatment, it definitely does. In my family members’ defense, I was raised like a step-sibling to my cousins because of my only child status, which was closer than the average cousin but still not the same as a sibling. My sister’s mom treats me like another daughter–period. I get presents just like my sister at holidays.
As my uncle said last week when I called out of the blue, he can’t expect me to call him on the regular when he never calls me. Such is life. I am known for being a child whisperer of sorts, so it’s quite an accomplishment that comes with bells and whistles when I take a liking to someone’s child because (as my bff knows) I don’t like everyone’s children…and I will tell their parents this. Most of my friends and I have similar child rearing practices, so it’s mostly in my family where I take a hands off approach to ill-mannered youngins. I ramble, but my point is that who is closest to me is determined on my own terms. That just is.
I am honored that I have four godsons and one more on the way. I also have my bff’s two daughters and a co-worker’s daughter as nieces. I have four special younger cousins that with the exception of one won’t share many of the memories that my adopted nieces and three of my godsons will. That’s quite enough for me. The more children you add, the deeper one’s pockets must be.
Everyone’s busy. Everyone’s got a lot going on. That’s the world we live in–a world where people are too darn busy and they just don’t reach out. They text. And there is no human touch.
Has the desire to be touched been lost? No. But the need goes unmet in a world where folks facebook (fb) one another in the same house or text between floors or email instead of making a phone call with a real voice connect.
Our world is instant, technology savvy, but we are farther apart than we have ever been. Even farther apart than we were back when the world was young and we were separated by miles and seas–because now we can have oceans in our living rooms.
Don’t text me. Let me hear your voice. Don’t email me. Make the sacrifice of time and mail me a handwritten note.
Let me know you care–if you indeed do. Find a way to touch me. Reach me. Be near me. Find a way–make one if you must.
The impersonal just isn’t personal enough.
The world is just too busy. And we don’t make time for those who need us most…as if we even know who they are.
What will you remember most about your loved ones? Their best text, email, IM, or the times you spent together?
And what about your friends or those who’ve spoken a kind word or shown you an act of grace or kindness? When did you last connect to say “hello,” “thinking about you,” or “I love you”?
Words matter. Human touch matters. They matter because love matters and love is serendipitously intertwined with sacrifice and inconvenience. So in all of your busy, you are NOT too busy to show you care.
From the Philly pool debacle to the Gates arrest to Soledad’s *inspiring* documentary, I’m tired of being Black in America. Can I just be? Well, the media seem to think not…
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I really do wish that someone would write a relationship book targeted towards men. Here are a few topics it should cover:
* How to Know When You Are Out of Your League (and Yes, there is such a thing)
* How to Follow the Old School Rules of Courting: You Court a Wife, You *fill in the blank* a ______
* How to Turn a ___ Into a Housewife: You Can’t, So Here’s How to Find a Quality Mate
* Who Pays for What and When
* Pick-up Lines You Should NEVER Use
* The Proper Role of Technology in a Millennial Relationship
* What to Do on A First Date and How to Land a Second and Third and Fourth
* How to Trust Your Girl: Becoming Trustworthy
* Sex-Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and So What?
I’m sure there are others.
Now, I would say that the potential audience for this book would be the same as the intended audience for Harvey’s book: those without a whole lot of the sense that’s common or the wit of a mom or mother figure from which to learn. Any man who was “raised right” (pretend we agree on what that means) will not need so much instruction…we hope.
I listened to my sister and her friend talk about some of their issues. My sis’s friend wondered something I have wondered once upon a time. She wonders why on earth God brought a man into her life who is her ideal but with whom she is not in a relationship. I have no answers for that one other than to suggest that maybe the point is to learn that because the ideal exists in one body it can exist in another, so settling should not ever, ever be an option.
After all, who prefers store brand ice cream after having Ben & Jerry’s, Haagen Daaz, or Maggie Moo Moos? Boy, do I miss ice cream sometimes! *sigh*
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Why aren’t there more vegan, as opposed to vegetarian, options in mainstream restaurants? And why is the South almost single-handedly anti-vegan? You’d think I’d be losing weight, but what the South lacks in vegan entrees it has hand over fist in desserts…to my waistline’s detriment.
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Soledad is now going to do Latino in America. Why? Just why?
Now, I have to tell you that I don’t know all the ins and outs of happy, but since I don’t know all the ins and outs of sad either, it all works itself out.
What I do know for sure is that hanging out with an old friend recently has made me one of the happiest ladies around. I absolutely love reconnecting with people I haven’t seen in a while. Some need to stay unseen, while others are like a breath of fresh air. My friend was the latter.
On a side note: Why did I get a request by text yesterday (Sunday) from a guy I’ve gone out with twice inviting me to fly to Chicago this weekend (Friday) to come hear him play?
There are a couple of things wrong with this. First, it was by text. He hasn’t called me one time this summer. We’ve only IM’ed and sent texts a couple times just to say what’s up. What’s UP!! Not, will you purchase a ticket to fly cross country just to hear my play!! That’s not a request for a text.
Second of all (I hate “secondly” Grrr!!!), after two not-dates, I don’t know you like that playa!! Simmer down.
Third, if you do want to make that kind of request, it needs to be accompanied by an airline ticket at your expense. What the heck?!! I think I was supposed to be flattered, but I was only offended. I have to borrow from Dragonly’s mama and say “he done tore his drawls with that one!” What’s wrong with people?
So, yeah, back to happy. Uhmm…I forgot where this was going because in the few seconds that I’ve been typing the phone just rand to remind me that I have triple booked. Yikes!! I’d better run, but yeah, whatever you do in life, make sure you find your happiness and the circumstances that will lead to it.
Yesterday was good and today shall be even better. Hormonal roller coasters SUCK!!!
You know, some people never learn, and I am one of them. No elaboration necessary.
I’ve been asked about natural hair tips so much that I’m thinking about doing a blog just for my “what to dos” that will offer video of how to do some of the styles that I do for others.
What else? There is so much going on in the world that I want to discuss but have neither the energy nor time. *sigh*
I have some exciting things going on at work, so I’m looking forward to going back. YaY, work!!! I think I’m finally about to come into my own…and I like it.
If anyone is still stopping by here, what’s going on with YOU?
Boy, do I miss ice cream sometimes! *sigh*