Happy Birthday, Robert Beck!

 Your wife, Carolyn, surely misses you. We all miss you.  Rest in Peace, Rob. Love always.

Everyone Is Going Through Something!

Once again, the social network has found relief in an incident that involves black men by keeping the Will Smith and Chris Rock “slap” in the news every day since it happened at the Oscars. The Oscars has never been fair to people of color anyway.  Usually, incidents involving people of color is in the middle or on the back page with one to two paragraphs. But these are two famously known black men.  Now there are interviews from people who have never expressed themselves publicly deciding to speak out. I can recall Congressman Joe Wilson shouting to then President Obama “You lie” in the Halls of Congress getting shorter coverage. How about discussing more on the Supreme Court hearing with Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. How nasty was the senators treating her?  It’s better news keeping people divided with race coverage. Negative news sell. People get richer off other people troubles! Social networks find positivity, period!

Miss you, Moms! And Happy Birthday, Momma Irby!

 Hello, mom.  March 24th passed quietly. You would have been 91 in 2021. Time flies. Momma Irby's birthday is today, Sunday the 27th, she would have been 88. We miss you both and love you so much!  

2022!

Congratulations!  Happy New Year!  We made it to another year.  The past couple of years had plenty of challenges to deal with.  Since we survived the political, mental, physical, natural storms and pandemics and national divisions, I believe we did it with divine help and not on our own.  We lost a lot of family and friends this past year in 2021.  I mean, some of them were very close.  Too many to count.  Not all of them were due to the pandemic.  Strokes, cancer, accidents natural causes and other situations still exist.  Where do we go from here?  There is so much disinformation and lies surrounding us that we don’t know who or what to believe.  I will always believe social medias are playing major roles in causing confusion for its followers.  America seems to be an easy target for those who want to destroy us.  We are being used as pawns in a master scheme of things and don’t know it.  Someone is benefitting from this bitterness, anger and hatred.  Whether it is being done for money, insanity or just for the pure pleasure, there are people who enjoy watching a mighty country sink. What can we do?  Well, we can be more respectful to each other and understanding.  It’s not much but a beginning.  We need to put our trust in God and if you do not believe, then find a divine creator other than man or woman to believe in.  All I know is that we can do better and be better as a people.

Happy Grace Day!

Yesterday was national Thanksgiving Day. Macy's Thanksgiving Parade was back on TV since Covid shut it down last year. Several major department and grocery stores were closed. Families and friends got together to share food and fellowship .Sports fanatics shared wins or losses of their favorite teams most of the day. What a day for many or a reason for some not to celebrate. My experience yesterday was joy and grace. I was among those who because of deaths of loved one and failed relationships had nothing to celebrate. I should have been grateful to even be alive but misery, solitude and denial always won the fight. For several years, I was comfortable being alone. I wasn't caught up in self-pity, I just didn't want to be bothered or obligated to anyone. Thanksgiving was just another day. Until, my wife changed the script. I have learned what forgiveness and mercy and compassion can do for my spirit. She never fails to surprise me. I celebrated the day with her family, cousins and friends. The fact is, she and I prepared the meal from scratch and desserts were supplied by her cousins. I was truly impressed with energetic Milly, a three year child who ran all over the house and backyard. She immediately welcomed herself in our home.  We had more than enough of everything. I talked a big game about being glad when it's over before it started. Yet, at the end I regretted not being able to take pictures of everyone. We were exhausted when the dinner and games were over but realized just how blessed we were. It's easier to find the worse in ourselves, we're surrounded by negativity in and on the air. It's a fight every day. I started searching for grace and found it. I'm not saying its the cure-all. But, it sure helped me peep over the hole I dug for myself. I hope you find grace everyday and be thankful for each one. 

RIP, Richard Martin!

 Blessings to you, Richard. 

Happy Birthday, Mom! Love you!