Happy Birthday, Melinda!

Well, Colonel, you made another goal! Enjoy this blessed day! Love to you and the young man & woman who recently celebrated their birtdays. God bless!

Me - Tia D (Thanks, Tia)!

Me

Don’t ya try to tell me who you think I should be

How is it that you’ve figured me out

You’re honestly mistaken if ya take in what you see

And never even have a single doubt.

You can put me in a box if you really wanna try

But I won’t stay in it I guarantee

That may have worked before but it won’t work anymore

So maybe you should go and let me be.

I am who I am

(No matter what you say)

I am who I am

(That ain’t gonna change)

Let me be me

Just let me be me.

So now I’m stepping out gonna show ya what I mean

Just leave your expectations at the door

For they are now no use to me and so I refuse

To cater to all of them anymore.

Don’t ya try to stop me or convince me otherwise

Nothing you can say will change my mind

And so I’m moving forward my old self in the past

It’s time to show you who I really am.

I am who I am

(No matter what you say)

I am who I am

(That ain’t gonna change)

Let me be me.

This is who I am

(Each and every day)

This is who I am

(No matter what they say)

This is who I am

I’m free to be me.

tmd 9-8-11 ©

Happy Birthday, Devin!

Today is my nephew's 21st birthday! I remember when he was a baby now he is a grown man. Time is flying by. God Bless you, Devin! Enjoy your day!

Message To A Stranger

I want this message to be simple and understood.  Too often words get twisted and the meanings are totally misunderstood which causes arguments.  But, let’s be practical, if the Word of God is misinterpreted (no comparison to this), then men don’t have a chance of being understood.  The world is steadily changing it seems from bad to worse.  People are saying and doing mean things to each other, some it seems for no reason at all.  Relationship problems exist when words or phrases are constantly challenged.  When one member in that relationship becomes extremely careful about what is said to the other, it becomes the “eggshell” syndrome.  In other words, you have to walk on eggshells to keep the peace or all hell will break loose.  Quarrels can question who is this person I’m arguing with.  This is not the person I know but a stranger I just met.  Still with me?  Granted, you might have a brusque, tell-it-like-it-is attitude, but you are still being you.  Yes, you can work on controlling yourself and use diplomacy but change doesn’t happen overnight.  Change is constant whether we like it or night, change is all around us and we just have to adapt.  But, that change must be positive and towards a productive cause.  When your words are challenged, you are challenged.  So the question becomes are you accepted as who you are or as someone you should be or something else?  There could even be a deeper issue not being discussed.  We don’t know what we say and how we say it will affect someone.  Let’s hope that it’s for the positive.  One thing that is very, very, certain and that is DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS ON EACH OTHER TO INFLICT PAIN OR INJURY!!!  If you can not touch each other lovingly, do not touch each other at all.  Corrective criticism is fine as long as it is put in an amicable and helpful way.  As our friend, Lila used to say, "Life is short, tommorrow isn't guaranteed."

Keep A Place For Us, Lila!

Our friend, Lila was buried yesterday on Labor Day, September 5, 2011.  Her celebration of life was held at Mt. Olive, C.M.E. Church in Lexington, SC.  What a wonderful celebration!  Lila R. Cook was born July 31, 1954 and transitioned on September 1, 2011. As long as I’ve known her, I have never heard her say anything harsh about anyone, no matter how bad she might have been treated.  You don’t meet many people in this world that are like that.  They turn the other cheek, pray for you, and give it to God.  Lila, Denise (Niecy), Vivian, Queen, Evelyn and I all ate together for lunch whenever we could.  Debra and Princess joined us much of the time.  Vanessa, Verne, and Mary would sit at the table next to us.  Lila will be missed but is deeply loved.  She was a good soul.

Happy Birthday, Teria!

I am getting a bit absent minded.  My niece, Teria, celebrated her 16^th birthday, August 31^st!  She celebrated her sweet-16 celebration with a new car from her mom!  God bless you, Teria, with wisdom, grace, and success!

Rest In Peace, Lila!

One of my lunch buddies, Lila Cook, passed unexpectedly last night, September 1st. She would always say after eating lunch, "Thank you God for that." We would answer "Amen." Well, thank you God for Lila! God bless her. We’ll talk about this later.