FAMILY

Establishing tradition is a part of black culture. I know many families who do many different things. Christmas breakfasts, summer vacations, xmas eve unwrap, Valentine balloons. The traditions vary as does each family, but one of the things all of our traditions encompass is Food!
So as I began reuniting my family  I wanted us to establish some type of tradition where we could all get together and celebrate all of the blessings that God has bestowed upon us... on a regular basis. So naturally...

I remember a time when I used to pray for tears, just to let me know that my heart was still pumping, that I was still feeling and that I was alive. I was very emotional. It didn't take much to get me emotionally charged, but tears and fears don't quite go w/ street life. You must grow a tough skin and suck it up. Any sign of frailty will get you chewed up and spit out. I prayed out loud, not caring who heard me, but my tears were done in my quiet sacred place. Inside.
It was because of this t...

It takes a village to raise a child.  It's an old African proverb, which my life has proven to me to be the truth.  As a child, my mother had a community of friends, who were always there not only for her, but were definitely instrumental in raising me to be the woman that I am.  As I became an adult, again my growth has been contingent upon the "village" around me as well.  With prayer, ALL the wonderful people, whether or not I thought of them at the time as wonderful will be lifted up as I...

From the first day that I arrived on the scene I was greeted by the Village. I was loved by more aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers than blood could account for. I was embraced with pure love. I was in my family.

Family is not defined by biology, marriage, or even a home. Family is the people you love and who love you back. The people you feel safe around and those you can count on. 

Family isn't always blood. It is the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what. Being genetically related doesn't make you family. Love, support, trust, sacrifice, honesty, protection, acceptance, secu...

I am so glad that before my mother passed away, I learned how to be a good daughter. I can honestly sleep at night knowing that she knew she had done her job and done it well. I'm sure for many years she doubted and questioned herself, but by the time she left this earth all of those doubts and questions had been dispelled and answered. This is truly one of my greatest joys. I remember while on the street, one of my constant prayers was to please allow my mother to live long enough to see me ...