my brother | Bruce Lee | And me...

Ok. So I know life - the course of development - And the interrelation of technology is continually propelling us in a forward progression... it is, as they say, the way of the world but I have to tell you... I miss many of the simple particulars of my youth.

- I miss the time when"call-waiting" was not an added feature on your telephone line... I mean IF one of our teachers was calling with a bad report... my siblings and I could tie the phone line up all evening *wink* All the caller would get, on the other end, was a busy signal
- I miss the time when you could see a loved one OFF by walking them all the way to the airline departure gate... parting with a big dose of love And a farewell hug & kiss
- I miss the old fashion ice cream trucks... the ones with the crackling music blaring over the loud speakers... you know the ones with fountain ice cream... Yum!.. Um reflecting back - it probably wasn't the most sanitary way to distribute ice cream (particularly on hot summer days) but WE all survived *lol*
- I miss the sound of children playing outside... simple games like: hop-scotch | catch a girl-kiss a girl | double dutch | jacks | south ball on the street corner...
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My brother and I were talking the other day; reminiscing about a time when he almost broke my nose *lol* OK so... our family (well over 200 of us) were all preparing for our family's yearly picnic (my dad, his siblings, And a huge host of nieces & nephews, extended cousins, and so on) somehow several of our cousins ended up at our house... there we all were... sitting around *NO cell phones* joking, laughing, *NO cable television*And shooting the breeze *NO laptops NO Xbox* at this time my older brother (Lamarr) was going through his 'Bruce Lee' phase... he even had homemade nun-chucks to boot... in the midst of the laughter And chatter, my brother started showing off his SELF learned techniques; he would karate chop here - karate chop there - And then pose in his Bruce Lee karate stance... after a couple minutes of prancing around - And I guess wanting to show off a bit more - he came up with the idea of using me as a stunt dummy... 

- Lamarr: "Pam" he said... "come here"
- Me: "noooooooooo" *laughing* I didn't know what he had in mind BUT I knew I wanted no part of it *lbvs*
- Lamarr: "Come on... just stand here And hold still" he grabbed And gently - yet forcibly - pulled me to the middle of the floor "I won't hurt you" he said... ... ... ... as he heisted his pant leg and positioned himself in his stance And put his face on (Bruce Lee infamous stare & finger swipe to nose)
- Me: "NO Lamarr" (slowly backing away) "nooo"... ... my "no" was abruptly interrupted by a quick heal-to-nose

My head flew backwards... And just like the ole school cartoons WHEN some animated cat or mouse (I'm thinking of Tom & Jerry) got clunked upside the head And an immediate knot formed... I could feel the knot rising atop my nose... the room filled with a roar of laughter... baby brother, my twin sister, And our cousins were falling over with laughter... Instantly my brother ran to me (he nor I were laughing) hugged me tightly apologizing And pleading with me not to tell our dad (it was an accident after all)... Please!.. I broke free And ran downstairs - straight to daddy... lol... So many years later, it is hilarious Aaaaaand it's something to 'well remember' *smilin'* simple things... good times.

Your next family event - or the next time you're in a coffee shop or diner... almost everyone will likely have their heads buried in their cell phones and/or laptops. Somehow the advances in technology are interrupting And stripping us of the natural comradery of our loved ones. Just my humble opinion of course *wink* 

the little girl And the 'white' Carnation...

                                                                Disclaimer:  This is simply the mention of a young girls experience

She cringed as she walked toward the large wooden church doors... her knobby knees trembled... her tiny legs felt weak beneath her.

Her hair was pulled back into a long ponytail; pink cotton ribbon to fasten... pink polyester skirt suite; white button up blouse... white nylon knee highs & black patent leather shoes. 

It was that time of year. Mothers Day.

Hate is a strong word BUT she did... She hated this day... "Why" you ask?.. "Mothers Day should be one of the most joyous days of the year" you say "it's a day of celebration" WELL here's her story - - > > >

"Here we go again" *she thought*As the church doors swung open - And she And her siblings slowly marched inside... she glanced back to look at them... "Why weren't they dreading the walk to the table?" *she pondered* she quickly turned to glance back again... neither her brother nor her sister seemed to notice the terror in her face... neither of them wore the same expression???

The procession of the line continued... it was moving forward way too fast for the little girl 

The lady, in the powder blue suite, in front of her, dropped her hanky... she bent down to pick it up... There it was... the long wooden table... ONE box full of red carnations - the other full of white... the little girl could see she was next in line *her legs weakened a bit more* 

The Sisters of the church were standing around with big broad smiles greeting folks "Good morning! Welcome to the house of the Lord!"

"Come here baby, let me pin a carnation on you *she adorned a pearly white Crest smile* The Sister bent down a little closer toward the girl... "Now baby... is your mother dead or alive?"

WTH?! the girl knew it was coming BUT it still stung like cold water to an open wound *she felt a bite And a burn*

- An uproarious silence filled the girl's head; her ears were ringing; she stood there motionless for a moment... when she was finally able to quiet the noise And stop the ringing... an urgency to turn And run tugged at her insides. She wanted to but she didn't. She just stood there. 

- 1) lip twist 2) eye roll 3) shoulder shrug *backward* 4) deep stare

- An adult voice behind her spoke out and said "Dead" just like that... ... "Dead" the single word that had ripped the young girl's world apart...

- The Sister's wide Crest smile had been lessened to a tight lip grin... the corners of her mouth now were barely turned up. Slightly taken aback... The Sister quickly reached inside the box And pulled out a white carnation... "Ohhh... baby" she said *slightly above a whisper* "come here... let me pin this on you... come here baby... it's okay... I understand" she said while pinning the white carnation to the girl's pink suite jacket.

- "NO the hell you don't!" *the girl silently shouted* "You don't even know me lady... you don't care that my mommy is gone NEVER to return... you don't care that she has been snatched up And taken from me... FROM US!.. you can't possibly understand how I long to hear the sweet sound of her voice And how I wish I could still feel her warm hugs And gentle kisses... you can't imagine how my world has been tossed flipped And turned upside down... YOU have know idea how I feel lady!" *she silently raged* she stood there lips poked... STIFF as a board... arms straight by her sides.

- AFTER "The Pinning"... the girl turned And tight-roped it to the closest pew... she eased onto the pew wishing she could become invisible *she sat* arms folded tightly .. chin tucked; head bowed *fighting back tears* ALL because of this damn white carnation *still raging*

- She was angry. She didn't like the fact these people - who didn't even know her - now knew TOO much about her... ... They knew she didn't have a mommy. They knew her mother was dead!

- Mid-way through the service when the church folks were all smiling, nodding in agreement with the Pastor's message, hugging the neighbor seated next to them, or following along in passage... she slowly raised her tiny hand to the lapel of her pink suite jacket... crumble the white carnation... unpinned it from her jacket... And as inconspicuously as possible, dropped it to the floor... Ahhhh... she could breath *she exhaled* 

Today, so many years later, that experience has faded but the memory is forever. She can appreciate the celebration of Mothers Day *now being a mother herself* BUT white carnations are still her least favorite flower... And she still feels "The Pinning" to be 'silly tradition' 

Experiences during our formative years move with us through life... it is - we - who decide how we will allow them to influence our future  poodle

Ordinary People... capable of Excellence

Psst!... *in a whisper* Don't be afraid to shine your light in a room that is dimly lit... The brighter The better *wink* 
I'm waiting for IT (your light) Trust... I will stand up And applaud IT... ... Well Wishing others success is a dividend or deposit, IF you will, towards our own success... more importantly - it just feels right!     
                                                                  
Random Thoughts

Fact: We all have area(s) of insecurity *some more than others* BUT we shouldn't operate in them!
Truth: Acknowledgement is 1/2 the battle... Working toward improving self is the other 1/2 *double wink* 

Fact: We are all unique in our own individual right. Yes!.. I love it!
Truth: Which means someone else's opinion of you/me does not define you/me. Nope!

Fact: People don't need a reason to dislike you; SOME just will *smilin*

Opinion mine of course: There are some exceptions - but I think the majority of us start our life journey as ordinary people... that's not to say we; each of us; are not capable of Excellence - I believe it's to the contrary... WE all are capable!.. Many, not all, are simply lazy and/or closed off to the possibility of living a fruitful, full, productive life DESPITE our environment or present position. It's work but it's a rewarding work!.. Life is short... make sure you make a deposit... #Several

NO limits... your flow is Abundant

Psssssst... Don't limit yourself in any area of your life or in your ability to achieve. Without the limitations society or even you yourself may have set... there is absolutely nothing you cannot attain or achieve. Excerpt "Having Tea with My Sisters"

There is such simplicity in that statement... BUT when greeted with the realities of life: when we are no longer within the confines our own comfortable surroundings... when we are without the support of our loved ones - right there - covering our backs and cheering us on... when we are suddenly thrust into a life situation or circumstance that we find to be unsettling... when we are operating in an area that is new or foreign to us... when we are faced with opposition that is relentless and unyielding... when all we have to rely on is SELF... Please know that grace is ever present.. direction is simply for the asking.. And your flow is abundant. 

SB1: In my youth, when doing homework and/or class projects, I discovered I was easily distracted (siblings, life events, television, the radio, friends outside playing softball on the corner of our block, etc etc etc) I trained myself to - when I did lose focus or I was distracted - immediately recenter myself || my thoughts || my actions And concentrate on the subject matter or project at hand... 

Diversions may interrupt or detour BUT we mustn't allow them to Destroy!.. It's pretty sad when that happens!.. 
I can remember picking my son up from school, one spring day, (Simeon high school... we were stopped at a red light 95th Dan Ryan) "Look at him son" I said "Do you think that man aspired, as a child, to one day stand outside in the pouring rain; unkempt; wearing tattered clothing, holding a sign that says *PLEASE FEED THE HUNGRY* ??? No son. He did not. He just got lost along his way... ... ... Be careful where you focus your thoughts, desires, intentions, efforts, And energy."

SB2: Got life challenges that continue to distract disrupt and divert you from positive life change, plans, And goals.. PUT positive in motion. I dare you. I, myself, am happy to 'put in the work' ON self... sometimes A great work... sometimes less of a work. *smile* Poodle

F

I'm nobody's "Ring Girl"...

- "Baby!.. over here.. look ... look at me."
- "No one else could EVER love you as much as I do!"
- "I'm a professional.. I go to work everyday 9-5.. good job | good pay."
- "I cook .. .. .. .. .. .. .. most of the time.. Yes.. I'm a good cook." 
- "You can trust me.. I don't cheat."
- "No.. I'm not a party animal.. I don't club hop."
- "Oh um.. I have a double Master's."
- "My finances are in order.. I have my own home.. my own vehicle.. I'm very responsible."
- "I promise.. I'll be good to you..."
- "Sex so good.. it'll make you wanna slap yo momma OR mine!"
- "Nope.. No kids."
- "Look at me baby *up & down bunny hop* over heeeeeere *bounce bounce bounce* Look at me!!!"

IF you've ever felt you were/are merely a temporary distraction for this man.. IF he makes you feel like he's simply passing the time of day until something better hits his line.. IF you've felt unloved unappreciated and/or mishandled.. IF you've felt unnoticed And unheard.. IF you've been made to feel like you're a "Ring Girl" prancing around an imaginary boxing ring | arms fully extended | scantily dressed | displaying Round Cards highlighting; And continually shouting | proclaiming; each of your attributes.. IF you are constantly giving out And never taking in... ... ... ... Self Worth #know yours

SB: We (men & women) may have a time when we find ourselves lost in an individual.. Don't allow it to be for a lifetime ; )

On The Flip Side - - > > > > However... IF you connect with someone who Inspires you... 

Excerpt "Having Tea with My Sisters" 
"I was happily intoxicated on love and it was reflected positively and productively in my personal and even broader areas of my life: profession, home, social, intimate, and through my writing. If you are fortunate enough to come together with someone who inspires you – you have, in part, a great thing! Use it. Inspiration can propel and motivate us to start and/or complete projects and dreams that have been forgotten or left dormant and unattended for years. In fact, you may be inspired to create new ones."