Always Valuable!

            My wife and I visited Mother Bennett this past weekend.  At 102, she’s still feisty and quick-witted.  Her granddaughters have a hard time keeping up with her.  The older daughter gets stressed when her grandmother says no to any assistance she offers but accepts it when it’s done, while the younger daughter takes it in stride.  It doesn’t matter to her; Grandma will get over it.

 

            As I watched the interaction between the three women, including my wife, I felt their sincere, unconditional support for each other. I also saw how frail my Godmother was. Once solid and independent up to 101, it seemed just overnight that she became dependent overnight. The scene reminded me of the words to a song about the young becoming old and everything must change. We will all change whether we like it or not.  Growing old lonely doesn’t help.

 

            My godmother mentioned that she is ready for God to take her home.  She has outlived her friends, husband, one of her children, and my dearly departed Godsister, who I considered my biological sister.  Her remaining son is almost 78 years old now.  Her question now is, what can she do for anyone when she can barely care for herself?  Who needs her now?  She looks at her pictures of being young and reminisces about days gone by. I try not to look in mirrors to avoid looking at how old I’m becoming. I’m looking like my father as I get older.  We might try to slow time down, but we can’t stop it. I have learned that we will always be valuable to someone.

 

I fully understand the elderly.  Currently, I’m physically healthy and, at the time, mentally capable, as well as capable of doing things for myself by God’s Grace. There are folks in their 40s who can barely brush their teeth. Yes, I have aches and pains from areas that I didn’t know I had.  Work through them.  Do what you can while you can.

Moments!

            The thought came to me today regarding how moments should be cherished.  It could be due to me getting older and accepting that I will not be on the earth forever.  Also, listening to the beautiful music of string violins, violas, cellos, and pianos could put me in a melancholy mood.  I cannot ignore laughing with my wife and having serious conversations about discussing whatever we want are moments. Walking, listening to concerts, and sharing our time are moments when we can do things together.  Moments,  when people can share with each other.  Moments and times when opportunity will never happen again in this lifetime.

 

            We often take these moments for granted until we realize how important they were after they passed, especially after our friends and loved ones have.  I won’t discount disappointments or discouragements.  They are memorable, unforgettable moments that will always impact our lives.  They will always be reminders of our choices and will most likely never leave.  The Japanese have a saying for the concept, “Ichi-go, Ichi-e, meaning “Once in a Lifetime.”  Enjoy the present moment as it is unique and unrepeatable.

 

            Sometimes, I was uninterested or not wanted to go or participate in any event or function.  When I did go, I was apprehensive or skeptical, but it was over, I truly enjoyed myself.  I’ve learned to become present; even though it took some time, I became more aware of the opportunity I was given.  I hope you do the same one day.

Losers and Suckers!!

            I read a post in a local neighborhood newspaper regarding voting last week.  The author, a veteran, wanted all veterans to vote “blue” “since “45” thinks we’re suckers and losers.”  Another veteran responded by paraphrasing that all veterans are conservative and will always vote as conservatives and not as Liberals.  Therefore, to me, he indicated that all veterans are suckers that will support people who will call us losers and suckers and disgrace those that gave their lives for this country or were caught as prisoners of war.  What he didn’t say was voting for people who support Russian ideals, attacking democracy, and dividing America is a benefit for those in Congress who want to stay in power.

 

Naturally, the veteran’s response was subjectively given.  He did not consider the racial injustices that many minority veterans were subjected to and how they might have felt returning to America and not being accepted in local cities as patriots who survived the war and faced hometown discrimination as if nothing had changed.  He won’t know the injustices and prejudices minorities underwent because he wasn’t mistreated like one.  Either he doesn’t know military history or never tried to learn it.  He sounds like someone who hasn’t shared the experiences minorities had.  This person must have forgotten the Tuskegee Syphilis Studies or how the U.S. Army hung 97 black soldiers, members of the Buffalo Soldiers in 1917 at Fort Houston because they defended themselves against a mob of white men who attacked them.  Let’s move the time up to Vietnam, where minorities still did not want to serve but were placed on the front and take the full assault of the enemy to buffet their fellow soldiers or be the first ones in the tunnels. There are many more instances, past and present, but I hope someone understands.

I’m a veteran and will not have allegiance to anyone I cannot trust.  As for my politics, I support candidates with similar ideas for this country with the best interest of all Americans in mind.  I support those not afraid to speak out against injustices, lies, and wrongs that divide this nation.  I support those who support the military in every possible way and do not humiliate them. I am realistic enough to know that money counts for every campaign, but I respect those not controlled by it.  They made the same pledges to this country for their office as we veterans.  Some of us kept them.

 

This country, as we write, has so many homeless, unemployed, uninsured veterans who are not in any political conversations unless it’s voting time.  Veteran discussions come up only during Veterans Day and campaigns.  I feel, at times, that minority veterans are the lost voices in America.  Returning to the veteran’s response, he doesn’t know how other veterans feel, especially those with dishonorable or bad conduct discharges who are disqualified from receiving medical services from the VA.  He does not represent me.  Yes, I was conservative at a time when bipartisan politics worked for this country and did not waste time infighting.  I still am. However, I choose not to follow the herd blindly. I’m keeping my ears and eyes open, and I will not sleep on bull s###.

American Fiction Review!

I’m not a movie critic, but I will say that the movie “American Fiction,” from my perspective, used the truth as a satirical comedy.  This past weekend, my wife and I went to the Nickelodeon Theatre and discussed how the writer and actors managed to get their point across to people who are ignorant of what people of color deal with daily.  It’s a tragedy the way some people stereotype others so much that they will believe every story told to fit their ideal description.  What is harmful to all of us, to me, is that the more lies a person tells, the more the other person will believe.  

 

The more exciting someone’s life is, the more it’s acceptable.  Society gives a person’s life a rating.  You’re either dull or exciting.  Even that is approved on whether your situation is extreme enough to be noticeable.  We see this on internet influencers.  People will pay to view another person’s life.  We’ve also seen this pretense work with some rappers who have never experienced the raw life on the streets from those who have lost hope.  Some rappers have college degrees and two-parent families and live a sheltered life but are still lonely and lack attention.  It’s all about the money.  I’m not pitting anyone against the other or categorizing a section of people.  I’m just attempting to understand the nuances and idiosyncrasies we all have.

 

Keeping this article brief, my wife pointed out a subtlety I overlooked.  Underlying the principles were two primary themes.  The strong and responsible person is the one dying early if they rest.  They carry the burden of an entire family and their own, while others expect them to and are never noticed by others about their problems.  Sadly, the strong pays a price for leading.  Is this why people won’t accept responsibility because they worry and will always be considered the strong, responsible family member?  Everyone dumps their decisions and life choices on them whenever they can.  Who will take care of the parents?  Who will be accountable for making life-changing decisions?  Who will sacrifice their life for the rest?  Some family members are silent and invisible when an important decision needs to be made.  But find ways to contact the strong ones when they need some help.

 

The other theme is setting ourselves apart from others.  Some of us don’t want to be attached, and we push them away.  I am not sure if it’s about being introverted or just enjoying a solitary life where emotions don’t have to be shared with others.  Maybe fear of being attached to someone who might leave will affect them mentally and physically.  We don’t take the time to relate to or understand others because that leads to attachments, which lead to relationships and vulnerability, which can lead to deception and being foolish.  Some people aren’t aware of this feeling and live alone, being so comfortable that they can’t recognize true love when it appears.

 

“American Fiction” opened my senses and reminded me of my experiences.  It made me see myself, and I’m not happy about my faults.  Yes, we have some family members and friends like those in the movie.  Yes, some of our family and people can be irritating and get on our nerves.  All human beings experience some turmoil in the family.  We all hurt and feel sad about any losses.  Regardless of our color, we are one giant, unhappy family who don’t have the time to hate each other for their color, which we are not responsible for.  All families disagree and may not always get back together, but if we open our hearts and minds to the bigger picture, we can see that God is and will always be our Father.  We’re just one big dysfunctional family.

Foolish Heart!!!

    I find myself acting foolishly even after all these years. I still need to change my approach to reading the news objectively.  I manage to keep my emotions under control most of the time, but lately, I get angry and disgusted with the news I read. It's difficult to remain impartial when the news is written with an obvious bias.  I am addicted to keeping up with current events, even if it has me continually being negative about my surroundings.  It’s a battle to avoid these complicated, technical viewing apparatuses. We need telephones, TVs, and Alexa devices to keep up with the weather and the rate of change in the world around us.  Lord, please bless my foolish heart.  I can’t get through this mess without you. The World needs peace of mind, not turmoil.

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Flaming Hot 2024!!!

            2024 will be a year for letting emotions all out!  COVID had people locked up for so long that people’s emotions are breaking out, and no apologies are necessary.  Claudine Gay, Harvard University’s president, submitted her resignation on January 2, 2024.  The 30^th President and first black woman lasted less than six months, from July 1, 2023 -to January 2, 2024. The minority quota was completed and filled by being the second woman to serve.  They checked all the necessary boxes.  I heard that her supporters are doing their best by showing how angry they are by doing nothing about the circumstances.  Circumstances that are controlled by influential, rich white folk and politicians made it their goal to get rid of this woman.  An advantage of having vast amounts of money is ignoring what anyone thinks about you, your affiliations, and your beliefs.  And those beliefs can be just as racist as the money-holder wants.  Ms. Gay forgot where she was.  Despite her qualifications, she began her short term under fire by the far right, who believed that affirmative action was against white people and that any black person appointed as head of a pillar of society, especially a woman, doesn’t belong there.  She would not be their pawn as a particular Supreme Court judge is.

 

Pressure followed her congressional testimony along with other presidents of Ivy League colleges.  Conservative websites accused her of plagiarism, even though the academics at Harvard did not attest to it.  The Republicans are becoming domestic terrorists who are determined to destroy America.  Please don’t accuse me of saying that; they make stuff up to divide and will lie about it.  Mrs. Gay might not have been perfect, but I have not seen anyone, black or white, man or woman.  I have seen some that are awful, ignorant, incapable of doing their job and are getting free passes by being pathetic.

 

I see that these attacks are accepted by their supporters.  The far right knows no bounds. They tend to control the media, or the media is just plain greedy for news and clicks.  Christopher Rufo was the spearhead of this attack on Mrs. Gay and bragged about it.  He celebrated it and was proud of his victory.  What blew my mind was what was said next.  “We must not stop until we have abolished DEI ideology from every institution in America.”  DEI = Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  DEI is Latin for God. God is not in this type of action, although He is diverse, equal, and inclusive.  But, switch two words around, and the letters are DIE.  I wonder if those are the letters that RUFO and Elise Stefanik, a representative from New York, want to see.  The war is against the people who support the Critical Race Theory and telling the truth about this country’s history.  The far-right and others are against those that are woke. Respect to Mark Cuban.  You are appreciated for what you do.

 

Myra Adams, an Opinion Contributor with The Hill, wrote an article regarding Trump’s evangelical voters remaining loyal even though he violates the Ten Commandments.  Gallup reported that 84 percent of the supporters are white.  They could only see Trump as their deity in DEI and will follow him.  Trump is their god.  God sent ten plagues to the Egyptians to release the Jews, and they were witnesses.  Yet, throughout their journey in the wilderness, they complained to God about food and water and wanted to return to captivity.  They continued disobeying, and many never reached the Promised Land.  These Christians can’t see because they believe the lies they are being told.

 

These hypocrites are people who do not want this country to heal.  They want to bring this country down and back to the Jim Crow days.  What new accuse would they find for this?  Affirmative Action was necessary to create diversity and equality in America.  Where would this country be if we didn’t have it?  We have lost our way in dignity and respect.  The devil is taking control of the churches, and the shepherds are misleading us.  But God is still in control.  He will never abandon or forsake those who believe in Him.  Stand by.  We’re about to be witnesses to a saved nation.

New Year, Same Old Resolutions!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!            

            Congratulations!  If you’re reading this, you made it through 2023!  I don’t know about any of you, but 2023 was a memorable year for me!  It was not harsh for my family, but for the social communities, it was downright devastating.  There were online attacks towards celebrities from trolls and other celebrities on many venues, including YouTube, X, Meta, and Tic Toc.  Slaps from Will to Chris on national TV at the Oscars, the Color Purple Movie controversy, Jamie Foxx breakdown, P Diddy assaults controversy, P Diddy parties including TD Jakes, Taraji, and Oprah low payments for the new Color Purple.  Let’s not overlook big money taking over the poor people’s land in South Carolina.  “Karens” are still accusing minorities that they don’t belong in areas where they live, and cops are still mistreating minorities or shooting them. Immigrants are clogging up the border every day.  These are just a few issues on the social front.  

 

Turbeville was blocking military promotions in the political arena, and McCarthy was making deals to be Speaker even if it took multiple times and wasted taxpayers’ money. Jordan’s only goal is being vindictive for his savior, Donald, for those who supported the January 6^th insurrection.  McCarthy and Gaetz showdown, Jordan now running for speaker but ultimately settled by an unknown, Mike Johnson.  There is no need to discuss Donald Trump; he never left the news but does seem more deranged than ever.  Israel and the Hamas haven’t changed. They’re still fighting and pirating in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.  The republican debates have been a joke with no substance, like Congress.

 

Even professional football officiating has been awful and often controversial.  Good teams have lost their standings of poor, inattentive calls.  Of course, teams and players weren’t so professional on and off the field.  Some of you already know.  In the college arena, ranked teams were split in their ranking.  There is no need to discuss the economy; Biden’s economics worked, but for how long?  Prognosticators are predicting savings in 2024 because 2025 will be different.  People are divided all over the place?

 

2024 is a continuation of 2023, unfinished business.  Each individual must face his/her trials and tests for 2024. Thank God we have gotten this far.  We all must be more diligent in our efforts to seek peace and the truth.  We’re not better than the other, but we can strive towards better communication and understanding with each other.  We are still more powerful working together than separately.  The world is watching and waiting to take over this country while we are divided.

 

We can make 2024 better.  It’s up to all of us.