I have found the one my soul loves... --Song of Solomon 3:4
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Happy Monday!
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 
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!
I’m sharing some discount codes with you, luxelings! Enjoy!
Today was one of those pensive days…
The fabutots and I had a great weekend and were just winding down. Throughout the day, I had been checking in on the Puerto Rican primary, and was amazed at how they said PR has about 2 million voters in one particular area. I thought, "Wow, I’m just one person…"
I grilled for the kids today, and as I heard the rumble of thunder in the distance, I remembered that I had forgotten to put the cover back on the grill (Captain America, don’t have a heart attack! It’s back on!). I waited outside for a bit, smelling the rain in the air; hearing cracking of thunder, and the wind whisper in the trees. I looked up at the sky and saw how wide and open it was– the different shades of blue and grey, with disgruntled clouds moving quickly through the sea of blue. The longer I looked, the bigger the sky looked, and I felt so small. There are so many things going on in the world today– politics, racism, sexism, natural disasters, global warming, wars, terrorism….Just one person…a tiny person, no significance…another number in the vast majority of world.
Then I walked into the house and my kids jumped on me as if they hadn’t seen me in years. Shrieking of excitement to tell me about some very minor detail (but was huge to them), they clamored over me and commanded my attention so they could share. As the night grew on and we all huddled to watch one of our favorite movies (Pirates of the Caribbean 2), my daughter clung to me as if I would disappear.
And I felt big.
Small in the world, but three little people’s everything. Not just another number, but number one in the lives of my children.
There are times when we think that our problems are the only thing that are in our lives at that season. That we are our current circumstances. One of my favorite sayings is, "Stop telling God how big your situation is, and tell your situation how big your God is". But there is more to it as well. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life, we let so many things encompass us and speed up our lives….instead of taking the time to realize what’s really important, or just enjoy small moments like smelling the rain…or being tackled and smothered in kisses by small children.
There’s a saying, "To the world you might be just one person, but to one person, you might be the world".
If you ever need a pick me up or reality check, walk outside…and walk back in to those who love you.
