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!

One Year Later, Mother Irby!

 October 3, 2020, the date you went back home, Mother Irby.  One year later and we all are mourning your transition.  We know it's for the better, but we still miss you.  It's still tough on your girls, they are dealing with it in their own way.  I sincerely believe that you all are interceding for us.  We need all the prayers we  can get.  Love you.

My Cousin's Thanksgiving Day Settings!!!

I got to give you props, Cuz. You know how to do it! I can't wait for you to get your blog/vlog on line!

Love your!

We Miss You, Austin! God Bless You!

July 24, 2015.  It's been 6 years since your transition, brother.  You are surely missed. I spoke with your children this week and sent them a few pictures of you from your junior and senior yearbooks.  I saw you in your NJROTC uniform for the first time and you really looked good.  Devin commented how much he looked like you in your younger days.  We all knew that already.  Tia looks like you, too. Teria, took after her mom but has your personality. BTW, her daughter Mai, is cute as a button.  She will be a year old on August 7th.  Of course, you may already be aware of all of this, I don't know.  Nevertheless, we miss you and send our love.

Happy Birthday, Lee! Enjoy Your Day!!!

Happy Birthday, Harold!

RIP Barry Singleton, July 27, 1965 to May 15, 2021

Barry Steven Singleton, 55 went home to be with the Lord on May 15, 2021 at Wake medical center he was the husband of Josephine Singleton they cherished 24 years of marriage together

Born in Anderson South Carolina he was the son of Lottie Singleton. He was raised by his three aunts Margaret Green Patterson, Willie Rae Saylors, and Pearlina Elizabeth Hill. He attended Catholic School, McCants Middle School, and graduated class of '84 at T.L. Hannah high School where he played saxophone in the marching band. At the age of 21 Barry moved to Raleigh North Carolina. He worked as a electrician and Foreman over 15 years with Bolton corporation and also worked at Lowe's for 5 years.

He was a devout member of Mount Zion in Cary North Carolina for over 30 years serving in Media Ministry, I.T Ministry, Missionary Ministry, Youth Ministry, and teaching Sunday School. On the 10th day of November 2013 Barry followed his calling and put faith in God by completing his sermon becoming an Evangelist.

He was predeceased by Lottie Singleton (mother), Willie Ray Saylors (Aunt), Pearlina Elizabeth Hill (Aunt), Joe Hill (Uncle), Joe Morris Singleton (Uncle), Herman "knot" Patterson (uncle).

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Josephine Singleton, two daughters Shannon Singleton and Elizabeth Singleton, four grandchildren Kylee, August, Noire, and one on the way. Three sister in laws Inell (Kenneth) Duncan, Shelby (Badr) Seffar and Sandy Montgomery. Àunt Margaret Green Patterson of Anderson SC and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and church family.

Romans, Chapter 1, Verses 18-34 (Please Read)

Times are tough right now and we are witnessing what has been written centuries ago.  Indeed, mankind has not changed too much.  It will not get much better if the churches can not agree on inclusion.  As long as they remain divisive, so will I nation.  We have left the Creator out of lives and rely on our independence of being successful.  Forgetting that we are branches connected to the vine.

 

As you know, we are living in unprecedented times which require unprecedented patience and trust.  There are those, not all, in law enforcement that are fearful of people of color and have been impressed by those in politics that it is acceptable to display their divisive nature.  Trust your intuitions at all times and rely on them at appropriate moments.  We have a bigger responsibility to our Creator and family.  Don’t get caught up in keeping in 100.  We will get through this.  We are already dealing with the pandemic.  We will get through this.  Watch As It Turns.  (WAIT).  Remain committed, persevere and be patience.  Be anxious for nothing.

Missing You, Mom!

2008 and still missing you! Love always! 

Happy birthday, Austin! We love you and miss you!

Rest In Peace, Robert Beck!

 December 2, 2020.

Happy Birthday, Mom!!! We love you!

RIP, Mother Irby!

RIP, Jonathan Litman!

 

Jonathan Litman, age 59, of 508 Jefferson Avenue, Anderson, SC departed this life on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at the Rainey Hospice of the Upstate.

Mr. Litman leaves behind a son, Jonathan Hatten; three sisters, Teresa A. Hutt (J.D.), Patricia M. Litman, and Audrey Mattress (Jimmy); five brothers, Robert Litman, Jr. (Crystal), Anthony R. Litman, Dewayne Litman, Patrick B. Litman, and Gregory R. Litman; and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mr. Litman was preceded in death by his parents, Robert, Sr. and Willie Lee Crosby-Litman; paternal grandparents, Elijah Litman and Janie R. Mitchell- Litman; and maternal grandparents, Kale and Hattie Brown-Crosby.

A Celebration of Life for Mr. Litman will be held on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 3:00 pm at the W.I. Peek-F.W.Jackson Memorial Chapel of the Unity Mortuary of Anderson with Reverend James F. Blanding, officiating.

5 Years Since Your Transition, Austin!

July, 24, 2015. I just want you to know, I'm thinking of you, Baby Brother. I know you don't like me to call you that, but you will always be my baby brother. Love you.

Farewell, My Brother, My Friend!

Two thirds of the 3 amigos are now gone. Harold Michael Newell transitioned Friday evening, July 11, 2020. He lasted 5 years plus since the doctors gave him only months. Harold was his own man and he was not afraid to die. He was just too tired fighting death for so many years. Death can be relentless and torturous. He finally beat my brother down. At least I got to speak with while he was in good spirits. Harold was my friend since childhood. Our friendship lasted over 56 years. Now he and Bobby can go fishing. I miss them both.

You are in my prayers, Dorothy.

And So It Goes...!

Many People Will Stop Loving God

2 Timothy 3:1-9, 13 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

1 Remember this: There are some terrible times coming in the last days. 2 People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud and boast about themselves. They will abuse others with insults. They will not obey their parents. They will be ungrateful and against all that is pleasing to God. 3 They will have no love for others and will refuse to forgive anyone. They will talk about others to hurt them and will have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 People will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking and will be so proud of themselves. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. 5 They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people! 6 Some of them go into homes and get control over weak women, whose lives are full of sin—women who are led into sin by all the things they want. 7 These women always want to learn something new, but they are never able to fully understand the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres[a] fought against Moses, these people fight against the truth. Their thinking has been confused. The faith they have and teach is worthless. 9 But they will not succeed in what they are trying to do. Everyone will see how foolish they are. That is what happened to Jannes and Jambres. 13 People who are evil and cheat others will become worse and worse. They will fool others, but they will also be fooling themselves. 

 2 Timothy 2:25-26 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

25 You must gently teach those who don’t agree with you. Maybe God will let them change their hearts so that they can accept the truth. 26 The devil has trapped them and now makes them do what he wants. But maybe they can wake up to see what is happening and free themselves from the devil’s trap.

Note: We don’t know when the last days are. I believe that even if we did, some of us will not change and simply ignore it. For all we know, this generation will not see them. Times are rough but we don’t have to make them rougher for others.

Keeping you in my prayers Dorothy and Harold.

Happy Mother's Day To All Moms, Past, Present and Future!!!

I miss you mom and sis!





Always in my prayers, Dorothy and Harold!

Remembering Bobby!

It's been two years on today, my brother. We miss you.





Dorothy and Harold, you are in my prayers.

Rest In Peace, Janet!

Frustration!!!

It seems that the Covid-19 virus pandemic has made some much needed changes to this world. It is a matter of opinion. During the stay at home policies and the social distancing when we are away from home looking for necessities, we find a new social behavior in our local travels. Of course, I can only speak for myself. Even if this isolation period is better than incarceration, we should empathize with those that are. Some people are there for a reason and some are not.

As I stand in lines at the grocery store, hardware store or even at the drug store, I am reminded of the people during the Great Depression who suffered as lot more without food, money, clothing or housing. I am forever grateful for my blessings. Yet, I am so frustrated with the lies and deceptions I hear from the politicians who contrive their stories each day. I am sure they know that people are aware of their schemes during these terrible times. People are dying and many of these so-called leaders prefer that we intermingle, push the economy forward and invest in certain pharmaceuticals, because there is money a lot of money to be made in times of crises. We should take the time out to pray for those who passed away and for all of the people on the front lines helping with law enforcement, EMS, fire, sales clerks, stockers, gas station attendants, postal carriers including UPS, FEDEX and Amazon and all the other people I didn’t name.

Aside from that, we have now ended the Easter season. Many of us celebrated it in the home with the people we love and should be grateful for it. Many of us will also celebrate the season alone without the people we care about. Then again, some do not want to be with the people we are with, but have no other choice. Still, celebration for the Resurrection is in order and God is worthy to be praised.

You are in my prayers Dorothy and Harold

Happy Easter!!!

The Church lights are dimmed and the pews and parking lots are not as full, but somewhere, somebody is praising the Risen Christ. Whether alone or with family, celebrate each moment.  Have a safe and blessed Easter. Our love ones may not be with us anymore but we miss them. We will always love them.

Dorothy and Harold, you are always in my prayers.

Where Does Our Help Comes From?

We are living in a perilous time. A time that people before us experienced that they thought it was the end of the world. At least, we can pass down this information to the grandchildren and future relatives.  The likes of the Black Plague, Ebola, Influenza, Pneumonia, SARS, MERS, Measles and the Chicken Pox, to name a few were contagious diseases and viruses that changed the face of the world. Now in America, we are facing with the same outlook as the African, Asian and European countries did. Do not forget Mad Cow, even HIV/Aids has taken a leave of absence since this new Coronavirus/Covid-19 has reared its nasty face. Our leadership does not know how to deal with it and change their speech every time they’re in front of the cameras.

Ebola, Influenza and others have left an ugly mark on America. Not too many contagious diseases have ever shut America down and left so many citizens hoarding hand sanitizers, toilet paper and depleting grocers of most perishable items. Covid-19 sounds so scientific. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses. This virus is related to SARS and MERS. Not much is known about it, but we do know that it spreads fast, quick and in a hurry. Every state has people sick and deaths since Covid-19 had made its entry. People that has never left the country or been in contact with any carriers are getting it. This is major concern and it is causing Americans to panic.

We may come together when things get tough but in the grocery store, it’s every man for himself. We push, shove and force our ways to get the last remaining packages of toilet paper and paper towels. Grocery stores within a 7 mile radius from the center of the city are out of toilet paper, paper towels and even gallon bottles of water. The bread and meat aisle in some stores are empty. Grocers are limiting shoppers but they are finding ways to return and still stock up.

This shut down is affecting businesses, restaurants, schools, etc., that are closing to protect their employees and the customer, but how can the employees get paid? Schools are closed and lunches are available for those children that cannot afford it. America is willing to spend trillions of dollars to fight this virus but cannot see just how poor so many Americans are. If this much money is spent on combating this awful disease in cures and protection for the medical responders, why can’t this much money be spent for the homeless and those that are struggling to live a normal life? American livelihood will never be the same. When churches close from fear of spreading this virus among its members, it tells us a lot about our fears of who is in control. I suggest that we better start looking towards the hills where I help comes from.

We should have always washed our hands and stayed home from work when we were sick. People needed the money and had to work. Unfortunately, they passed the germs to their coworkers. What can a employee do if the company does not pay for sick leave? They go to work. Curfews, martial law, who knows what is next.

You are in my prayers Dorothy and Harold.

Happy Birthday, Sis!

I miss you, JB.



Dorothy and Harold, you are always in my prayers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

You are in my prayers, Dorothy and Harold.

Tammarria, You Finally Found Peace!

You will be missed. Gone November 11, 2019.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Love you, mom!



Keeping you in my prayers, Dorothy and Harold.

Johnny Cash - Hurt

What Good Will It Be For Someone to Gain the Whole World, Yet Forfeit Their Soul? (Matthew 16:26 NIV)

These are tumultuous times. Historical times that are, numbing and unpredictable led by a few folks that have lost their morals, integrity and common sense. Despite the hurtful words, very few of these elected officials are afraid to stand up. Has this power and authority misled them where they recognize a mortal man as a god? Are deceitful, conniving, vindictive and egotistical men willing to destroy anyone and anything to maintain authority? The “fake” media is called out, but is conveniently used to spread division instead of unity. Some folks think that the true communists are considered friends, but real Americans are “communists” who hates this this country. I must be wrong to believe that communist countries were set out to destroy America by division and hatred. (Election meddling.) These are confusing times and confusing statements. We are all here on the earth by the grace of God. Our material gain is only for a season, but eternity is forever. One day we will kneel before God for our actions. I would prefer a “Well done” myself. Then again, maybe these officials don’t believe. Either way, their power is temporary. Here's another thought. This might be a distraction to keep us from knowing the truth about something else.

Dorothy & Harold you are in my prayers. Good talking to you both.