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St. Simons Wedding Planner :: Island Destination Weddings | You Don’t Know Diddley…And Acceptance Speech
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You Don’t Know Diddley…And Acceptance Speech

I have the strongest epiphanies when I’m doing manual labor…but all the same, this thought came to me, and stuck with me all week.

This week, two parts of my world collided and moved on to a better place.

Yves Saint Laurent died earlier this week, as did the musician’s musician, Bo Diddley. I have loved YSL since I was about 12. I was probably the only “tween” and early teen reading Harper’s Bazaar and drooling over his exquisite collections and dreaming of how I would walk in them when I became a model. His signature was divine, his work was innovating and his presence was inspiring. YSL came from the “House of Dior” and created a new look, a new design, all his own. Simply Beautiful, as my friend Letetia Nicole would say.

Bo Diddley…wow, what can you say? The man singlehandedly created what Rolling Stone magazine called the most copied blues tune ever….(you know the one, “I got the blues….da da…da da….). He started off at home, with a homemade square guitar…and he just did what he loved. He was a groundbreaker and innovator. He inspired so many present and “heyday” musicians. When John Lennon arrived in the States during the Beatles’ “American Invasion”, they asked who would he liked to meet…he said Bo Diddley.

As CNN (did you think I’d be watching anything else? Poor Scarlett asked me if I saw the SATC movie. I’ve never seen an episode of the show! Let CNN come out with a movie. I’m there. Twice) talked about how Diddley played into the early nineties; he said it was because he “had to. Music contracts were written so that musicians were able to collect little royalties on the songs and music they created”. My heart felt sad, but it didn’t break until he said, “You know, I held the door open for a lot of people. And they ran right past me and left me holding the knob”.

I swear, because I am a waterbaby, I cried.

How ungrateful are we!? How ungrateful am I?! Don’t pretend by any means that you are where you are solely because of your grit, tenacity, cuteness and what my great grandfather called, your “get-a-long”. Build a bridge, and get over it. Someone paved the way for you. Did you say thank you? Did you help them when they needed it? Did you run right past them and leave them holding the knob? Fast forward a few years, a few months even…who will run right past you? Who will take all they need from you, simply remix it and leave you behind with no financial or emotional royalties? From your past actions, do you deserve any better? Better yet, instead of holding the door open, are you leaning against it, thinking you are keeping “the competition” out?

Think about it. It could be your mom, your dad, your boss, your local grocer, I don’t know. But someone allowed you to stand on their shoulders so that you could reach your full potential. Thank them.

Soooo…..My acceptance speech.

I’m nowhere where I want to be, but I’m nowhere where I used to be, and I thank God for that. I thank Him for His grace and His blessings, and the gifts of my children that He bestowed upon me.

I thank my wonderful husband for going the extra-mile, when the road was sometimes dark, scary and almost off the map. Thank you for always wanting better for me and our family and being willing to give it. Thank you to my three beautiful children who inspire me every single day to be a better person.

To my parents– thank you for my life. For everything that that means and everything it does not. You have given me life on so many occasions, and it would take me at least ten to repay you.

To Mattie and Precious, thank you for being the sisters I always needed. You tell me when I’m wrong, agree with me when I’m right, and are always there to support me. If you were any item of clothing, you’d be a really good bra ๐Ÿ™‚

Thank you to Liene…for everything. You know exactly what I’m thinking without me saying it, and have inspired me so much1 Every time you reach your rockstar status, you always kneel down from your cloud, extend a hand and pull me up with you with your advice, your grace and your friendship. You’re the best, and I mean that. If you ever need a kidney, call me. I know a guy. (LOL).

Thank you to Linnyette, Mark, Carolyn, Saundra, Preston, Marcy, Nancy, Mindy, and the countless others “who have come before me”. This industry is tough. It’s what you make of it, and it’s not for the weak. But it is a little bit easier because you have excelled at your craft and raised the bar for all of us. You’ve made the road easier to travel because of your hard work and gifts to this profession. On behalf of everyone who owes you a debt of gratitude, I say thank you.

Kim, Scarlett, Tabitha, Laura, Randi, M.E., Jasmine, Kawania, Katasha, Andria, Khris, and so many more…Thank you for allowing me to be in your space and pick your brains. Thank you for sharing yourselves with me and allowing me full and unbridled access to your personalities, your creativity, and your savvy.

I hope you are never left holding the knob…but holding my hand as we experience this life….together!

16 Comments
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16 Comments

  • That was the sweetest, nicest gratitidous speech ever!

    Thank you for putting things into perspective – sometimes we dont’ know why exactly we are typing, er, saying the things we are, but someone out there it touches… and this time… you did that.

    Thank you!

    June 9, 2008 at 8:54 am
  • Well, Thank you Terrica. For the shout out and the reminder.
    I actually feel that a lot of us do know that we should be grateful and thankful and express that to those who have positively affected our lives. We do know that. But it helps to have reminders like this, when you are getting down. It helps, because sometimes, it is more difficult to focus on these positive, meaningful things, in your moments of darkness, when your mind is telling you to cherish what you have, but you just feel like dwelling on the negative.

    Thanks again

    June 9, 2008 at 11:01 am
  • OMG!! You are such a dearheart and an inspiration!! And I think I’ve told you more than once and I don’t mind saying it again. You are truly a God-send and you definitely have helped me along my own patch.

    P.S. Haven’t seen SATC either, nor do I feel the need. . .I’m a news girl myself, but ABC news is my drug of choice!

    June 9, 2008 at 3:54 pm
  • So much love. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    You are the bomb diggity!

    June 9, 2008 at 8:01 pm
  • I’m already hormonal and now I’m trying to be a big girl and not let the tears roll. Remember when I took off 2-weeks ago and you asked, “What are you doing home?!”, like I got fired or something ๐Ÿ™„ ? Well, I was left holding the knob and was fed up. But I promise never to intentionally walk pass someone and leave them with that same feeling. Thank you.

    June 9, 2008 at 10:41 pm
  • Terrica!!
    Thank YOU for your kind words! You have no idea how much you’ve given to “young” ๐Ÿ™„ upstarts like me- Thank you for your wisdom, your inspiration, your style and your HILARIOUS sense of humor. May you never be left holding the knob (and if you ever are, I’m sure you’ll be holding a sock of batteries in the other hand! ๐Ÿ˜† ). Bisous!

    Kim

    June 10, 2008 at 7:24 am
  • Awww you are so sweet! Thanks for the thanks!

    June 11, 2008 at 1:29 pm
  • Terrica, you are a blessing to me…a mentor in more ways than you know, a friend, and Lord knows I love your twisted sense of humor. Be blessed and keep evolving!

    June 16, 2008 at 3:48 pm
  • I almost missed this post!!! You are wonderful and will continue to move forward – and extend your hand to others. We have a lot to thank you for! How can someone with so much sass and spunk be so gracious too? Love it! ๐Ÿ˜›

    June 20, 2008 at 10:05 am
  • How sweet of you?! Ditto, and thank you for all that you do!!

    June 21, 2008 at 5:54 pm
  • How did I miss this??

    XXOX.

    July 5, 2008 at 7:12 am
  • ps – I JUST figured out that your favicon is a martini glass! I thought it was a fabuluxe alien or something. Or an olive. Which would also work with your theme.

    July 5, 2008 at 7:15 am
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