Born and raised in the South Bronx, New York (USA) I figured some thoughts, words, and musings of me would be entertaining- particularly because I say what I mean and of course I mean what I say.
Yes, I am an educated African-American woman. Yes, I am a poet. Yes, I am emotional. Yes, I am strong. Yes, I am opinionated. Yes, I am single. Yes I am an avid drinker of coffee. Yes I am in constant struggle- oh and I can not spell, so don't judge [ok maybe a bit] Don't be scared, just be willing
Sadly we lost an icon of an amazing writer and a Black woman who wrote of the experience of Black people- spoke for Black Woman and just eloquently opened my mind up to the ways I can be allowed to express myself.
The fact that I feel allowed to express myself in the manner I do- sometimes fully, Sometimes not at all, sometimes too much sometimes not enough - the fact I can write all those things is a testimony to her paving the way and being.
I am eternally grateful for all the Black women writers who kicked down doors and showed us the way to go.
Thank you
Hanging out with the family & friends at the beach, enjoying my last day and the everything that is happening around me, loving the sun & saltwater on my skin- just being present.
I took a walk because I found myself suddenly getting emotional thinking about LIFE...how precious IT is & how easily things can change • I started crying missing my Dad, wishing he could have been around to show me his island home; he could have shown me which rocks he used to climb/ jump off of, could have reminisced about his 9 siblings, Granny, and the days of his youth • I cried missing my Mom, thinking about how she met my father in Bermuda • I cried thinking about the brother • I cried thinking about my cousin who just passed • It was just a lot. It is a lot. Maybe I just needed to cry- for all the things that ain’t right right now and I guess for all the things that are. I’m alive right now and it was a different situation just 1 week ago. I know I’m extremely blessed & forever grateful. • I eventually got myself together, prayed, fixed my face and proceeded to continue living this gift of life. And getting in the water. And laughing at things including myself. And enjoying all of IT. .
I have got to say as I sit here and watch the annual viewing of
The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown...
it dawns on me about all the wonderful gems in it.
it is lifes' true lesson!!!
check it- Sally here is infatuated with Linus- a co-dependent blanket loving boy.
He has a great heart, and is waiting in the 'most sincere' pumpkin patch.
Now- where this notion of the Great Pumpkin came from- dunno, but he believes this pumpkin dude is supposed to bring toys and whatnot to the children's.
Anywho, his sis Lucy thinks he is crazy-
for sticking to his beliefs of this pumpkin patch...
and she tells him in a sisterly way.
Charlie Brown,
as good as a friend would do,
tells him too, but lets him go about his business- cause men.
SO basically it is Sally-
the love-struck lil sister of Charlie Brown
who volunteers to forgo trick-or-treating
[henceforth acquiring her own sweets & treats]
to 'stand by and support her man' in his dream.
Suffice it to say, when no great pumpkin shows up-
she is highly upset, and unleashes a rant on him
which includes a demand for reparations
I HOLLERED!
why, at this age is this such a true life/love/relationship advice?
well a few things
1- there was no proof of the pumpkin- only his belief & his words. Now, facts have proven that for several years there is no pumpkin- but she foolishly believes him.
2- baby girl while she wanted to be there with the dude, but she also wanted her own. So she forgoes her needs and sacrifices for him.
3- when it turns out that ain't nothing happen- as in there is no great pumpkin, she wasted her time, she could have been enjoying herself with what she wanted to do
Life lesson- don't follow a man for your happiness- you have to get that yourself.
Let's not even go about the life lesson Lucy taught Charlie Brown about contracts and notaries!
